Despite the proximity of the two blazes to each other, investigators say they don't believe the blazes are related.

There were no injuries in any of the fires, but the office complex and one of the homes were destroyed. The second home, under construction, sustained significant damage.

The first fire, reported at about 4:30 a.m., swept through the Totem West Professional Center, an office complex in the 11400 block of NE 124th that houses three dental offices, a learning center and medical, technology and insurance companies.

Damage to the center is estimated to be at least $2 million and possibly as much as $4 million. Damage to the dental offices and equipment alone is expected to top $500,000.

The fire (shown in photo at right) was called in by a newspaper delivery person who was driving by the site on his morning route, said Robin Paster, spokeswoman for the Kirkland Fire Department.

The top floor and attic were destroyed by fire and the bottom two floors were heavily damaged by water used to extinguish the blaze. The 20-year-old building did not have a monitored fire detection system or sprinklers.

The second fire, at 6:45 a.m., destroyed a residence and heavily damaged an adjacent home that was under construction in the 11800 block of 89th Place NE, in the Juanita area outside Kirkland. Three people who were inside made it out safely.

The owner of both homes is out of state, according to the man’s adult son, who, along with a couple roommates, was asleep in the home when the fire broke out, Paster said.

The son said he was awakened by smoke alarms. The house was filled with smoke, and he ran outside with his roommates and a family dog. One of the roommates and a neighbor called 911.

Twenty-one units responded, representing the Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, Redmond and Northshore fire departments. One firefighter suffered a minor shoulder injury during response.

The homes are located in an area known as Goat Hill, which is accessed by steep, narrow and winding roads. The terrain makes the homes difficult to access by large vehicles such as fire trucks.

Both the commercial blaze and residential fires are under investigation.