PORT LUDLOW — Fire in a car with its doors left open might be the cause of a spectacular blaze that destroyed a building and damaged two others at the Admiralty Condominiums complex early Thursday.
Damage is estimated at more than $1 million.
Port Ludlow fire officials called in the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to assist with the investigation because of the high cost.
Officials of Port Ludlow-based Jefferson County Fire District No. 3 stopped short of calling the fire a possible arson, although one witness said she saw the burning Ford Taurus’ doors open in a garage under the complex.
Three people escaped the three-story building uninjured, leaving everything but their bathrobes when the blaze broke out shortly after 4 a.m.
Three others were evacuated from two nearby complexes.
Fire officials reported all residents accounted for, but a pet cat was missing.
Admiralty Condominiums are located on the property of The Resort At Port Ludlow, but are privately owned and not operated by the resort, said resort managers in a statement Thursday afternoon.