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Oct. 30--Hours after a fatal house fire took the lives of two of his neighbors early Sunday morning, Nhiem Tran still hadn't figured out exactly how he would break the news to his wife.
The people who lived next door to him in the 16000 block of 46th Avenue South -- seven adults and one infant -- had become friends with him and would sometimes borrow tools to do work around the house.
Tukwila fire officials said two of the adults died in the blaze. A third was being treated at Harborview Medical Center for burns and smoke inhalation.
Officials were not releasing their names, and Tukwila Fire Department battalion chief Martin Grisham said he was unsure how they are all related.
The Red Cross is helping the survivors find temporary shelter.
The seven were renting the home on a quiet street of mostly empty nesters, where most homes are still occupied by their original owners.
Tran, who moved into the neighborhood in June, said he had gotten to know the son of the family and would often see him out in the yard working on his car.
"They'd have barbecues in the backyard," he said. "At the end of the day they'd play basketball out there in the front of the house.
"It's all just very sad. I don't think I can tell my wife."
Tukwila Fire Department was called shortly after 4:20 a.m. Sunday, and firefighters from Renton, Kent, SeaTac, Burien and North Highline also responded.
Grisham said the Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire, including whether the smoke detectors were working. Fire marshals from Tukwila and Kent are investigating.
