UPDATED: House fire in Sumas leaves one dead Sunday morning

SUMAS, Wash. — A Sunday morning fire at a Sumas residence has turned tragic after firefighters discovered a body inside the home.

Crews from Whatcom County Fire District 14 were dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 3300 block of Halverstick Road about 9am on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Firefighters arrived on the scene 4 minutes later to find smoke and flames visible from the house.

During the effort to extinguish the blaze, firefighters located a deceased male victim inside the structure.

As of 11:40am, Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office were reportedly still investigating the cause of the fire and the cause of the man’s death.

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Update at 5:20pm:

While extinguishing the fire, a deceased male victim was located inside the structure, later identified as [a 95-year-old. Name redacted by Whatcom News for privacy].
The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office investigation determined that the fire originated in the deceased’s bedroom and the cause was determined to be an electrical failure involving the wiring supplying the hot water heater.
The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’ Office has taken jurisdiction of Mr. Samms’ remains and will determine the cause of death.
– Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office (February 8, 2026)