Fire in North Renton and all hail the new chief

Late last night, the flames from the back of the Law Offices on Park Ave. could be seen from the front rooms of residents on North First Street in the neighborhood of North Renton. While the big trucks came and three fire departments responded, the 2 alarm fire did not injure anyone and started at the carport in the rear of the building. Okay, there was a very hurt Lexus parked there, and the fire department was on the scene this morning trying to ascertain the cause.

The last of the big trucks left the scene at about 1 am this morning. From 10 until midnight there still seemed to be billows of smoke pouring out and the neighbors in jammies were wandering at the sidelines.The KOMO News truck was there last night and again this morning, covering our local burg.

The front of the law offices seems relatively unharmed by the fire and rather quiet for a work day. Guess it was better to stay at home until further notice.

Good news is that we all get to welcome 30 year fire department veteran, Mark Peterson to the post of Renton Fire Chief. Announced in the Renton Reporter yesterday, it comes as no surprise that the guy who has been holding the fort down since Chief Daniels left last year should be named to take his place. Congratulations Mark!

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.

Cause of Recent Renton Fire still unknown

Cause of the fire that has burnt to the ground a huge portion of Harrington Square, a new apartment and condo complex in Renton Highlands last night, has yet to be discerned. The Renton Reporter says that maybe an arsonist specialist will be called in, though it has been noted that there were roofers on the building that day using tar. The investigators expect to take up until tomorrow to report on the cause of this incredible blaze that could be seen for miles in the area.

Look here to read the Reporter's article on this event and scroll to the bottom of the page to see an AGGREGATE LISTING of all the articles written about this, the latest Renton Fire. (Wow - The Picaroon made it into the list !)

Update: Seattle Times article here on the possible cause of fire.

Fire in Renton - additional photos

This evening, when I flew out of the house like a bat out of hell to go to the site of the second 4 Alarm Fire to rock our city of Renton, I was determined to get some photos and information.These are taken from the park behind Highlands Elementary School on Harrington in the Renton Highlands/Sunset Hills area this evening.

This is the Harrington Square Complex of apartments/condominiums that was just halfway through completion and said to be viewed as a great new addition to the Highlands area. Retail space was going to be available for rent on the street level.

As you can see, this was taken earlier on during the fire and the entire block on this side seems to be engulfed in flames.

So far, there seems to have been no injuries reported from the fire, but a police officer directing traffic was it by a motorist. It seems the vehicle then hit another police car and other officers wrestled the driver out of the car and to the ground. View report on this news here. Hopefully, that will be the only injuries related to this fire that need be reported.

Renton Fire Chief says no one hurt

According to Renton Fire Chief David Daniels, there are no injuries that are known of concerning the 5 Alarm Fire in the Renton Highlands/Sunset Hills area tonight. The Harrington Court apartment complex was about 50% completed when it broke out into flames this evening just a little before 8 pm.
Here is a link to the story that this posting references here.

Renton after the Fire - community,recovery and gratefulness

First things first - Roy Beeler, Manager of the building that was burnt down in the Renton 5 Alarm Fire 10 days ago, stated it as soon as he could politely stand up and voice it. Rod Stewart, owner of the Country Station Antique Store in the top block of S. Third Street seconded those thoughts when it was his turn. Extreme gratitude and thanks to the Fire and Emergency Dept. of Renton for their incredible help in saving an entire block of buildings. "You saved our businesses - Thank you!"

Last night at the Eagles on Wells Ave.S., the Renton Fire and Emergency Dept. held a meeting to discuss with the community about the 5 Alarm Fire that rocked our downtown nearly 2 weeks ago. Chief Daniels was on hand to lead the talk about what was found that night, why the firemen did what they did, what efforts the city is presently taking and how they are finding ways to get the businesses that were effected back to normal. Putting out the fire is just the first of a long line of steps that take place.

The highlights, you may ask? Kent, Seattle, Tukwila, Auburn and Renton all joined forces to fight this fire - 119 firemen all told. They train together, so they all know the same rules of engagement, follow the same chain of command. Beautiful synergy, no injuries - not one. A fireman dies every three days within the US, Chief Daniels disclosed. We had everyone go home safe, including the building tenants. Wow.

The fire department did make another visit, as I reported two days ago here, to the Harries Building were they found a 5 foot high stack of comics still smouldering. Block Aid and another 1,000 gallons of water were used to treat the situation, as well as stirring the pile of an estimated 30,000 comics. Highly unlikely they will trigger again, but Roy Beeler, Manager of the prior building, will see to it that Howard Wheatly of The Comic Den recovers whatever else he might salvage from the pile and then have it removed ASAP. That was relieving news to all of the businesses located nearby. Hats off to Deb of Girlfriend's Antiques for bringing this issue to The Picarron attention.

In any emergency, we were told, there are 5 phases.

*Prevention *Preparedness * Response * Recovery * Mitigation

Renton is in different phases of recovery right now. Some businesses, like Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes, Renton Laptop Shop and The Comic Den are already back open and serving customers. A-1 Vacs & Locks is working with the city to expedite his permits, has secured a location next to Naan & Curry and will hopefully be up and running soon. The CK Nail Spa and Salon was hit hard with water damage and is still under major repair.

Our community really comes together in a crisis, reiterated Jennifer Davis Hayes of the Renton's Community & Economic Development. As Bill Flora,Deputy Chief - Fire Marshall, reminded us all, the Police Dept., Public Works Dept, Community & Economic Development all played crucial roles in expediting the safe fighting of the fire that Friday night and the recovery after the fire. PLUS our lovely Renton people - who have given of their hearts and their efforts to those afflicted by loss through this fire, every step of the way.

The good news is that the building has been purchased by Howard Ho, owner of the adjacent building housing the Common Ground and business developer. The city, Jennifer Davis Hayes stated, will be watching closely to see that things move along in a timely fashion where the building is concerned. The city had already sent the previous owner, Bob Delancey, a 30 days to demolish or redo letter. But word on the street is that Howard Ho has wanted to purchase that building for sometime and has every intention of rebuilding.

Special thanks to the Renton Fire and Emergency Department for being on hand for this meeting - Renton Fire Chief I. David Daniels, Bill Flora Deputy Chief -Fire Marshall, Mark Peterson Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, Joan Montegary Asst. to the Fire Chief, Jennifer Davis Hayes of the Community & Economic Development, Kevin Hoult of the Renton Small Business Development Center.