1 killed, 15 hurt in Everett apartment fire on New Year's Eve

EVERETT -- A 3-alarm apartment fire in Everett turned deadly Thursday night after a fire broke out at an apartment complex on W Casino Road.

One person died in the fire and 15 people were injured, including a 57-year old woman in critical condition and three others in serious condition, the Everett Fire Department reported.

Fire crews responded to a reported mattress fire at around 7:10 p.m at the Bluffs at Evergreen apartment complex.

Arriving firefighters spotted smoke coming from the building and within minutes of fighting the fire, crews called for a second alarm and then a third alarm.

"The building was not equipped  with a fire sprinkler system, and the fire was able to travel into the attic and spread quickly through the building," said Assistant Fire Marshal Eric Hicks.

Firefighters and emergency personnel treated 15 people, ages 5 to 60 years old, for injuries, including smoke inhalation, burns and injuries from being dropped out of upper-story windows, the fire department reported.

At least 100 people have been displaced by the fire.  The American Red Cross has  provided assistance and there is an emergency shelter at a nearby church.

Seven of the building's 30 units were affected by the fire, and the remaining 23 units were damaged by smoke and water.  Crews are working  through the night into Friday morning to fully extinguish the fire.