Fire at Taylor's Auto Body this morning in Renton

A fire in Downtown Renton broke out in Taylor's Auto Body late this morning. Renton Fire Chief I.David Daniels told The Picaroon and Fox News that the source was still undetermined, but that the fire was relatively small and that Taylor's should be back in business by the end of the day.

Since initially the fire seemed bigger and there was a lot of smoke, the Renton Fire and Emergency Department did request a 2 Alarm, but once the other units began to appear they were able to turn them away as things were in hand.


Employees at the body shop found flames in a paint booth at the establishment and immediately used fire extinguishers to attack the fire, which was significant in helping to maintain the spread of fire and confine the damage to a small area.

Always prepared for the worst, at least 40 to 50 people did arrive on the scene to assist. I counted 8 fire engines and saw Kent, Tukwila and possibly Bellevue represented amongst them.

Fire Chief Daniels said that a Hazards Material Lieutenant had been working with Taylor's Auto Body just the previous week on how to deal with combustible materials and their disposal, etc.

Lucky for us, Daniels stated that it doesn't appear to be a significant fire. Fire Chief Daniels is above talking with a Metro Bus Representative as there is a bus stop located across the street from Taylor's Auto Body.

Fox News came as quickly as some ugly traffic would allow to catch up on our news - Brian of Q13 Fox News there is downloading pics onto the Web from his phone for immediate update.

Renton Fire Chief David Daniels giving Fox News and The Picaroon the fire update. Whew! Glad it wasn't something any bigger. One 5 Alarm Fire and a 4 Alarm Fire is enough for our poor city this year.

Taylor's Auto Body
330 Main Ave S
Renton, WA 98057-2729
(425) 271-3001

Down she goes

The ever changing face of downtown Renton. You might have noticed on Wells Ave. S. that there is a bright orange plastic fence now erected around the front perimeter of the building that underwent such heavy damage in June during our 5 Alarm Fire. From what these workers had to share with me just yesterday, this building is going down very shortly.

Sometimes things just work out for the best - turning a near tragedy into a bonus for the community. Bob Delancey, the previous owner of the building that originally housed The Comic Den and A-1 Vacuums and Locks, didn't seem too interested in the extensive work that the city would require of him to bring the remnants of the building on Wells Ave. back up to code. Yet, his neighbor, owner of the building that houses Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes, Harvey Ho, had often admired the adjoining building and stepped into the opportunity being afforded him. We are now beginning to see him make good on his promises to take the building in under his care.

This back view of the building let's you see once again, just how devastating that fire in June had been and how close we came to not only having this one building under reconstruction, but potentially an entire city block. Thanks yet again to our Renton Fire and Emergency Department, for saving our collective DTR butt.

I am anxious to see what will come of this little corner of our historic downtown, of which we should all be so proud to have and maintain and retain. Will Harvey keep the face of the building, and replace the rest? Will it be completely new and reborn? I will keep you posted.....

Note to readers: I understand your concern about the building in this economy laying unfinished and vacant - and when talking to Jennifer Davis Hayes at the community meeting that was held with the neighbors and shops of the area, http://thepicaroon.blogspot.com/2009/06/renton-after-fire-communityrecovery-and.html, she said that the city would make certain that the building did NOT languish and fall behind on it's renovation work. I have heard that the new owner has developed other buildings, not being "just" a landlord, so I am trying to remain hopeful.

Huge fire in Renton claims complex

At a few minutes of eight this evening the sirens began to sound and people left their homes to see a huge column of bright orange flames topped by a large plume of black smoke drift from the Sunset Hills area of Renton. The above photo is on Houser Way, near the Value Village Store and you can see that the flames are incredibly visible even from this distance. After the 5 Alarm Fire in downtown Renton only days ago, citizens are more sensitive to the sound of the fire truck and medics as they charged up the hill.

This is a Tukwila fire engine responding just minutes before eight and heading up 4th street to get at the fire through the "back door". I was not able to go onto the side of Sunset Ave to see the effect of the fire from there, but I saw a few medic vans battling traffic on the side streets even this early in the fire and knew that streets were quickly being shut off.

These photos are all taken from the park behind Highlands Elementary School and from the school's playground itself. This is when it pays to be on a bike. People had to leave their cars and walk to see what was occurring. Most were from the neighborhood at large. Everyone could see the flames and the shock of the initial fire sent a shake and shiver through homes all around. Not unlike the feeling of an earthquake shutter and the sound of a loud "pop". Folks knew something was not right.

This is at the corner of NE 9th Street and Harrington, where a very new and large apartment complex called Harrington Square was under construction. The outside balconies were just beginning to be built and new appliances were seen being delivered to outfit the interiors within the last day or so. These were as yet unoccupied residences.

Rather ironic is the fact that at this very corner, in what now houses the Pablanos Auto Repair on NE 9th, this brick building once was the fire station. It was moved to NE 12th Street sometime ago.

On this corner there was also an Espresso Stand - and all that is left of that structure is the sign that is hanging up right next to the swinging stop light that you can just make out in the above photo. (As I write this to you in North Renton the air is full of heavy smoke wafting through my open window).

These are all of the neighbors who have come through the opened gates at the Highland Elementary School and are standing in what is the baseball field which happens to be exactly at the corner where the burning fire is located. Everyone is on their phone, taking photos, taking videos. The news is spreading like the wild fire that burns in front of us through the ease of modern technology. Everyone is a mini-journalist to an audience of friends and family.

This is a fire engine from Bellevue that has come to Renton's aid. This fire IS a 4 ALARM FIRE and is much larger than the one we just went through downtown. This will have brought in far more than the 119 firemen that we had on June 11th. Already, we have fire stations included in this fire that didn't have to come to our aid the last time. You can see that the spout of fire causes a rainbow effect in the air that is not occluded by smoke. Alongside of where this engine sits are single level small apartment units that seem to be out of harms way.

In this photo, later on, you can see that the bulk of the large shooting flames have been put out and an entirely large portion of this apartment complex is completely gone.

However, just as that portion of the flames die, what I think maybe a private residence on the corner of NE 9th and Harrington suddenly bursts into flames and the roof begins to glow and then go.

From my position I could see at least 7 streams of water hitting at the fire, and it wasn't possible to battle the impeded roads and cordoned off streets to see what, if anything, was happening on the Sunset Ave. side of this complex where there is a Safeway, a Pizza Hut and a Kentucky Fried Chicken. I am guessing that there were many more fire trucks and medics surrounding this entire area on all sides. On Kirkland and NE 10th Street there is the Highlands Community Church as well - and I have no idea at this time whether that building was affected at all.

This is Elizabeth Landrum, lifetime Rentonite, neighbor and a blogger's best resource. Elizabeth felt her entire house shake tonight when the fire began, as if someone might have run into her home. She left her house in her 'jammies and large shoes to investigate. Elizabeth grew up in this neighborhood and watched the progress of Harrington Square as it grew. It was just becoming apparent that the street level was going to sport retail space, and she was looking forward to maybe seeing a bookstore go in. Thanks go out to Elizabeth for letting me bend her ear and for her wonderful information that I was able to impart to all of you.

Day after the fire in Renton

This is the view that our downtown Renton peeps are privy to the day after our 5 Alarm Fire in our little burg. Firefighters still on the scene, though the fire was put out successfully last night with the help of over 100 firemen from Renton, Skyway, Kent and Tukwila plus the off duty members that were pulled into duty. They are assessing the damage - and the very little that is left of the building that once housed the Comic Den, A-1 Vacs & Locks and a handful of residents in apartments who once lived there. No one was hurt, mercifully, but the loss is great otherwise.


This is Jennifer Davis Hayes of the City of Renton checking in with the Fire Dept. and getting a handle on what she can do to help - which with Jennifer, is always a lot.



Luckily, you could still get a cup of coffee and come down and look what happened. Coffee is from Liberty Cafe and these locals are from left to right: Phyl Carroll, Ron Hughes, Sue Hughes, Bill Collins and Sarah Iles of the Renton Historical Museum. If you were a steady coffee client at the Common Ground Coffee & Cupcakes, you will be sad to know that their cafe was affected by the smoke and has some damage, so they are temporarily closed. But don't worry - they will be back.

This is Braden - and his great Grandfather, Mr. Anderson, was the owner of the now destroyed building. He is with his Grandmother Delancey, looking at the remains of his family's property and the loss of another piece of downtown Renton history.

This is the back of the building where two fire engines still remain and the firefighters are actively investigating the interior of the building.

Smoke and Flames in Downtown Renton

The second floor of the building that houses the Comic Den, A-1 Vac & Locks (looks like this was hit pretty bad and a mere shell of the building remains) and is a neighbor to St. Charles Antiques (current state unknown)and then Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee (completely black inside, owner Hang and Lang will have to close for awhile to repair - damn!) caught fire this evening a bit before eight o'clock. This is a 3 Alarm Fire, folks. No - upgrade that - 5 Alarm Fire!

Our firefighters from Renton were joined by Kent, Tukwila, and Skyway firehouses (thanks to you for helping with our dear old downtown, fellas). I counted 5 large fire engines (apparently over 100 firemen) at the scene tonight, not counting Medic Vans and police cars. The turnout was immediate and impressive. Later, as I was writing this and downloading pictures - I heard a huge cry of happiness and clapping from the South Third Street vicinity. We really do appreciate you - you guys!






This is the back of the affected building - there is a small piazzalike parking area, and it was awash in smoke.

Our mayor, Dennis Law was immediately on the scene. I think that big walkie-talkie he is carrying comes with the job. He headed right into the smoke to consult with the firefighter crew.

Already on the scene was a professional photographer and soon after I saw the news helicopter cruising our Renton skies. You can be sure to find this event on the evening news.

Marcie Palmer was over at the South Renton Neighborhood Picnic at Burnett Linear Park this evening, when all of a sudden the firefighters who traditionally come and join the summer eat and greet event left in a hurry. Marcie says they had a good turnout until the fire put a kibosh on things. (That's Jay Hand from the Ancient Arts Tattoo right behind her).

"Try not to breathe this smoke, folks,it's not very good for you". This kind firefighter reminded all of us longneckers at the fire scene that the dark, heavy smoke pouring from the vintage building is probably full of things our lungs would rather not have first hand knowledge about.