Approximately six hours ago, witnesses reported to police they heard a loud explosion followed by an intense fire at the 3-story Hampton Green apartments in the 4400 block of 148th Avenue NE in Bellevue, Washington.

Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond fire crews raced to the scene to help fight the fire.  All in all, there were 7 engines, 4 ladder trucks, 5 aid units, 2 medics and 3 Bc’s on scene.

Bellevue Fire reported one patient was taken to HMC with injuries from the fire, while two others were sent to area hospitals.  One firefighter was injured with a cut to the hand but is considered as non-life threatening.  There was a report of a total of seven injured with an unconfirmed report of someone jumping out of a window to escape the flames.

The fire damaged 10 apartment units displacing several residents.  The Red Cross was on scene to help residents with shelter.

Upon finding a cause, it has been ruled as suspicious and is now being handled as a criminal case by ATF investigators.  Police and Fire crews are still on the scene.

Police are not commenting on any further details of this case.

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