Takeshi and Lee Sato made it out of their burning home in the Carlyle neighborhood of Bothell on Nov. 14 with their lives, his car keys and her purse.
The Satos sat outside of their home in their pajamas watching as the fire, which did claim the life of their cat, destroyed their home. Neighbors came with blankets to comfort them.
“There were a lot of neighbors around (that night),” Teresa Hansen, who lives nearby and saw the fire on her way home, said.
But the support from their neighbors didn’t end the night of the fire. On Nov. 15, Josh and Cat Martin, who live right next to the Satos, started a GoFundMe page to raise money for whatever they will need, from clothing to assistance with housing.
“We’ve got to watch out for them,” Josh said of his neighbors, adding he and his wife frequently help out both the Satos and the other senior couple living on the other side of them. “We’re all about the community.”
The Satos told the Martins they will be looking for an apartment to live in while their home is rebuilt. As of press time, $1,245 had been raised, and the Martins said they will update the page as the Satos’ needs become more specific. The fundraising page can be found at gofundme.com/sato-house-fire-fund.
Crews from the Bothell Fire Department, Shoreline Fire Department, Kirkland Fire Department, Woodinville Fire and Rescue and Snohomish Fire District 7 responded to the fire at 5 p.m. at the home on 108th Place NE, according to a press release from the City of Bothell.
Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke and flames visible from the structure. Firefighters extinguished the fire after taking an aggressive exterior attack and then transitioned into an interior attack.
The release also indicates the American Red Cross is working with the Satos to address their immediate needs. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the estimated cost of damage has yet to be determined. The residence endured significant fire, smoke and water damage.
The home of Takeshi and Lee Sato in the Carlyle neighborhood of Bothell burns on Nov. 14. TERESA HANSEN / Contributed photo
Five departments, including Bothell Fire and E.M.S., responded to this house fire in Bothell on Monday evening. Photo courtesy of the Bothell Police Department
