Video: Fire rips through Darcy Burner's home

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REDMOND, Wash. - King County fire investigators say a blaze that destroyed Democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner's home early this morning was accidental.

They say it likely started at an electrical outlet in her 5-year-old son's room.

"Our best guess is that it was a lamp in Henry's room based on what he told us, but we don't know," Burner said.

Flames engulfed the house near Ames Lake in three to four minutes, campaign spokesman Sandeep Kaushik and Redmond Fire Capt. Frank Glaser said. Burner credits 5-year-old Henry for alerting the family about the blaze.

"The first thing I knew was he'd come tearing out of his room yelling and we look there was smoke coming out of his room," Burner said. "I grabbed Henry, and went up the stairs, out the door, grabbing my cell phone on my way to dial 9-1-1."

Burner, her husband Mike and Henry all escaped unharmed. She called Henry's actions "amazing."

"You know the fire department had come to his pre-school and talked to him about the importance of fire safety and what he should do if there ever was a fire," Burner said. "And he did exactly what he was supposed to do and not only save his own life but almost certainly saved ours as well."

The fire started some time after 7 a.m. on the first floor, and flames were shooting through the roof by the time firefighters arrived. Around 20 firefighters from several departments responded. SkyKING video showed plumes of smoke billowing from the site.

"This was an extremely intense, hot fire," Glaser said. "The flames were 20 feet over the house."

The home is located at 3630 West Ames Lake Dr. N.E.

A cat named Charlotte died in the blaze, but the family dog made it out. Glaser rescued the golden retriever, named Bruce Wayne.

"The dog was right there at the window, standing in a foot of water, looking out at me, so I hauled him out," he said.

SkyKING

SkyKING captured raw video of the blaze at congressional candidate Darcy Burner's Ames Lake home Tuesday.

Burner, a Democrat, is running against Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., in the state's 8th District. She lost to Reichert in 2006.

She told KING 5 that she'll continue with her campaign, but plans to take a few days off to determine where to live.

"The fact that my son is fine and that I'm fine and my husband is fine and they even rescued my dog makes it all quite doable," she said.

In a statement released today, Reichert said he was relieved to hear that Burner and her family were safe.

"While the loss of a home is tragic, family and loved ones are irreplaceable," he said. "My thoughts and prayers are with them as they work through their loss. At times like these we are reminded that nothing is more important than family and loved ones."

Kaushik said Burner and her family have lived in the home since 2002.

According to Burner's Web site, she and her husband Mike moved to Washington in 1988. They have relatives in the area.