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!

Comics still burning on

This afternoon, the old Harries Building that was the site of Renton's 5 Alarm fire saw a little more action. Three firemen, completely suited up and a pair of fire engines, pumping water, paid a visit to the basement of the building that once housed The Comic Den and the A-1 Vacuum & Locks. Seems that there is a stack of smouldering comic books about 5 feet high that bursts into flames about every week, this told to me by one of the firemen, Captain Mike Proulx of the Renton Fire Department, after exiting the building on Wells Ave. S.

As you can see, the building received a little more water and attention. This view is taken from the back of the building where there is a parking area.

I had no idea that comic books could be that tenacious. There is word on the street that Bob Delancey, owner of the now burned out building, is negotiating with a buyer. It would be great to have that space rebuilt and renovated. Let's hope both parties can come to an agreement soon. I will keep you posted.

In honor of Firemen that have already gone

Another blog that I really enjoy visiting, The Quincy Daily Photo Blog, had this posting for Sunday. I felt that in light of our recent fire downtown and our deep,heartfelt thanks to our own Fire Department and the departments in neighboring towns who lent a hand during our crisis, this would be really good to share.

The second Sunday in June is apparently a day of remembrance for Firefighters who have died. This is the Firefighter Memorial in Quincy,MA that resides in the cemetery across the street from their Police Station. Isn't it lovely?

I hope that the author of the this blog doesn't mind me sharing this lovely image with you. Considering what our downtown has recently been through - I think maybe they will understand just how grateful we are today for the help we so recently received.

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.

Largest Firefighter competition in the World

1,500 firefighters in full fire regalia, 69 flights of steps, 300 different departments participating, 788 vertical feet - these facts combined make the Stair Challenge at the Columbia Center on March 8th the single largest firefighting competition in the world. And our local Scott McMurray is in the mix of it for the first time this year.
The proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -any amount will do to help fundraising for the fight against blood cancers. Scott told me the other night, he just wants to be able to make it up all the stairs. So let's help him out by pledging some of our pennies to the cause and let him get on to the heavy work.
Here is the link to Scott's donation page , here. Scott, we all wish you well!!
PS - I know - I got the photo of the bldg wrong - so sue me, and the one photo that is not mine, is of the fireman gear - thanks to Danni0525/Flickr.