Fire destroys candidate’s house

The home of Darcy Burner, a candidate for Congress in the district that includes Maple Valley, Black Diamond and Covington, was destroyed in a fire Tuesday morning.

Burner, her husband and their 5-year-old son escaped unhurt from the fire, which she said apparently was caused by “a faulty lamp” in the boy’s bedroom.

Burner’s campaign spokesman, Sandeep Kaushik, said the house is “a total loss. The roof is gone, the interior is gutted, the exterior walls are barely standing.”

Burner and her family “were in the house when (the fire) started” between 7 and 7:30 a.m., Kaushik said. “Her son, Henry, ran in (to the couple’s bedroom) and said, ‘Mommy, daddy, the house is on fire,’ and they saw the smoke and the smoke alarm went off.”

The house is between Redmond and Carnation.

Burner, her husband Mike and their son planned to stay with friends in Redmond Tuesday night.

Burner, a Democrat, is running in this fall’s election against Eighth District Rep. Dave Reichert. It’s a rematch of their close race in 2006, which was won by Reichert, a Republican.

The personal setback Tuesday won’t curtail her campaign, Burner said.

“We may have lost our home and our possessions, but for the most part they can be replaced, and I feel like a true tragedy was narrowly avoided,” she said.

She thanked firefighters for saving her son’s puppy. The family’s cat died in the blaze, however.

Burner expressed gratitude the “generous and heartfelt assistance” of friends and supporters. “I am so moved by all of the offers of a place to stay, or clothes to wear, or all of the other offers of help.”

The Redmond Reporter contributed to this report.

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