By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Riverside Fire Authority said yesterday they concluded the mid-January fire that damaged six units at a Centralia apartment complex was started by smoking material which ignited a couch while the occupant was asleep.
The fire originated on the first floor of the two-story building at the 1400 block of Lewis Street at about midnight on Jan. 17. It trapped the occupants of the apartment unit above the fire. All occupants were safely removed while the fire was extinguished.
The fire investigation team made up of members of the Centralia Police Department and Riverside Fire Authority determined it was accidental.
A total of seven occupants from two different apartments were displaced. They were assisted by the Red Cross.
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For background, read “Centralia: Residents of two apartments displaced after overnight fire” from Wednesday January 17, 2018, here