Fatal Fire Blamed On Candle, Cigarette

A small fire that killed a man on board a fish tender early Monday was caused by a candle, discarded cigarette or other smoking material, fire investigators said.

The small but smoky fire occurred in a marina in the city’s Ballard neighborhood.

It began in the small bunk room where the victim was sleeping, said Brian Mills, a Fire Department spokesman.

Another man and woman sleeping topside on the 120-foot fish tender “Jamie D” were awakened by a smoke alarm about 3 a.m. and called for help, he said.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the dead man as Dave Williamson, 21, of Seattle.