Bellingham man dies in South Hill neighborhood fire

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 3:30am on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to the 300 block of N Forest Street due to report of a residential fire.

Bellingham Fire Department (BFD) officials issued a statement later in the day. Firefighters learned the structure contained 4 residential units. Smoke alarms alerted residents in upstairs units, who woke other occupants to evacuate the building. 3 residents escaped the home.

The BFD engine that arrived first on scene located smoke coming from the basement. People outside the structure informed firefighters that 1 person was inside the basement.

Crews entered the home and located an unconscious 80-year-old man who was not breathing in the basement. Firefighters removed the man from the building and paramedics provided life-saving care. The man died at the scene.

BFD crews extinguished the fire and contained it to the basement unit, according to the statement. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.