The first crews to arrive at the Four Freedoms retirement home found flames and "lots of black smoke" coming from a sixth-floor unit, said Fire Department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick.

"Then there was a loud, I wouldn't say an explosion, but like a swoosh and the flames shot out and everybody was looking up and there was somebody on fire," said Bunny Hudec, resident.

The confirmed fatality was a resident of that unit in the seven-story building, Fitzpatrick said, adding that she had no additional information on the victim.

Some residents were on their balconies and had to be taken out of the building on fire crews' ladders, FitzPatrick said.

The cause is under investigation, she said.

About 80 people who live on the sixth and seventh floors were not allowed back into their homes Sunday night because of smoke and water damage. Many spent the night with friends and family, while about 25 were taken to a Red Cross shelter in Seattle.

"We're equipped with the proper personnel and the facilities and supplies to be able to handle this, said Heath Moore, American Red Cross. "It's going to take us a little bit of time but we'll get it done."