Residents recently organized a “Fire Fair” in response to a fire that blazed through a town home in Kirkland’s Totem Lake neighborhood on July 2.

The accidental fire started in the motor/electrical wiring of a resident’s hot tub at Hamilton Square. The back of his home and roof were destroyed, displacing the homeowner for months, while his townhome is repaired.

Resident Elaine Cummins responded by organizing a “Fire Fair” on July 27. The fair was designed to:

• Reassure any children who may have been traumatized by the fire

• Teach foreign born residents recommended American fire response

• Teach all residents fire safety tips for the home

• Interest residents in disaster preparedness

• Recruit neighbors for upcoming fire safety/disaster preparedness training

• Strengthen neighbor relations

The Kirkland Fire Department provided an incident debriefing, fire extinguisher demonstration, fire engine tour and fire prevention training. Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, Puget Sound Energy, and the Hamilton Square homeowners’ insurance company volunteered to staff booths with additional safety information. Nine City of Kirkland staff members were also involved.

As a result of the event, the community gained an understanding of what caused the recent fire in the neighborhood and learned valuable fire prevention tips and techniques.