Higlands Fire Follow-up

The Renton Fire and Emergency Department will be on hand at a Community Meeting this evening at 6pm at the Highland Community Center Gymn (800 Edmonds Ave. NE ) to discuss with the public the 4 Alarm Fire that occurred at the Harrington Square Apt. Complex on June 30th (article at the Renton Reporter).

It has been determined that the roofers who had been at the complex that day were using a propane torch and this set off the fire with the roofing materials acting as kindling to the flame. Damage to the tune of $11 million to the only half completed structure and flames that shot up so high that Tacoma and Ballard bloggers and folk were watching and writing about it. Sadly, this building was hoped to bring revitalization to the Renton Highlands Community. (Source article at the Seattle Times)

The Picaroon was in attendance last month, when Fire Chief I.David Daniels met with the Downtown Renton Community to discuss the 5 Alarm Fire that had struck the 100 year old Harries Building on Wells Ave on June 11. But, Mom's turning 76 tomorrow - so family time takes the upper hand. Otherwise, I would have been happy to covered the event.

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.

East meets West - Asian shopping at it's best

It's like shopping at Safeway, if you were in an South Asia. Miles of incredible products that suit those who like to cook Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino or Chinese food as well as an entire area that nods to the Mexican cuisine needs. The seafood counter is fresh and impressive, and you can buy your staples, such as milk and eggs here as well. The fresh fruits and produce section is so varied and lovely - where else in Renton could you find Rambutan right now, I wonder? Plus, a very nice cooler full of bottled beer to select from (I mean, come on - that's a staple to someone, right?)

Our Renton Viet Wah Asian Food Market opened about a year ago and received an award from the City of Seattle in 2008 in the Grocery Division. The Viet Wah Group has a restaurant, which some of the baked goods they carry came from, as well as other 2 other store locations. They began some years ago and have far outgrown their "found in Chinatown" beginnings. Viet Wah looks far and wide for the food goods they carry, sometimes working closely overseas with vendors to get the products they need.

One thing nice is that at the back of this very clean, very nicely appointed store (oh, and did I mention - really low prices?!) there is a sign showing you to the detached cafe front that Viet Wah operates selling Bubble Tea, Bahn Mihn sandwiches for just $2.50 and some hot food as well. It looks like a chipper little cafe with a couple of tables to eat at and an all around nice vibe. You can shop and eat all in one stop. I always like that - we should make sure that our appetites are assuaged before doing any serious shopping for sundry kitchen items. Otherwise you end up with a cart full of beer and dried cuttlefish, and crackers shaped like Hello Kitty's head.

Viet Wah Supermarket

Renton

2820 N.E. Sunset Blvd. Renton, WA 98056 Get directions

425-336-6888

Everyday 9am - 8pm