Fire at Bellingham home turns deadly

WHATCOM COUNTY -- One person died and others were injured Wednesday morning during a raging house fire in Bellingham, fire officials said.

Fire crews responded to calls of a house fire around 4:27 a.m. in the 2600 block of Utter Street. When crews arrived, they found a two-story single family home fully engulfed in flames. Bellingham firefighters entered the home despite the blaze, and removed an unconscious victim from the fire who died at the scene. Crews worked to put out the fire once the search and rescue teams cleared the home.

At least two other residents in the home were injured during the fire and taken to St. Joseph's hospital in Bellingham. One of the residence suffered injuries after jumping from a second-story window, officials said.

The Red Cross was at the home to assist members of the family in their grief and time of need. Fire Chief Roger Christensen said it's rare for Whatcom County to see a fatal fire, and he sent his condolences to the family.

"Our hearts go out to this family during this difficult time of crisis," Christensen said.

Officials are investigating the cause of the deadly fire.