King County fire investigators say a faulty wall heater is to blame for a fire that caused considerable damage to a north-end home last week.

The blaze occurred Thursday, Nov. 16, at a house on 116th St. SW. The home belongs to Kathryn Lehet, according to her daughter-in-law Bridget Lehet, who also lives in the home.

Bridget Lehet said she left home at 11 a.m. to catch a ferry, while Kathryn Lehet left Seattle at roughly the same time to return to the island. When Kathryn arrived, she found smoke coming out of the house.

No other people were home at the time of the fire, but one of three cats living there did not survive.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue responded to the call shortly before noon with seven firefighters, including the chief and assistant chief, two paramedics, three support crew and an emergency medical technician. They remained on scene for much of the afternoon.

Assistant Chief Bob Larsen noted that firefighters had some trouble accessing hidden fires in the home’s ceiling and roof structure.

“It was a difficult fire to fight because of the type of construction,” he said.

Following the fire, Chief Charlie Krimmert asked islanders to be careful of large hose lines when they are stretched across the road; drivers should not go over them, as doing so can damage the hose as well as the vehicle. A driver ran over one of the hoses being used at the fire, and Krimmert said it would need to be tested before it can be used again.