Fire crews were still extinguishing hot spots in the Harbor Saw & Supply building on Tuesday morning, and damage to the building appears to be extensive, including a collapsed roof.
“We still have some spots to hit, but we’re making progress,” said Fire Commander Andy Polmateer.
On Monday, a fire broke out and fully engulfed the building in the 3100 block of Simpson Avenue. Employees inside the store made it out safely, but a dog that was in the store died, according to Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers.
Josh Lennox, an employee and son of storeowner Fred Lennox, said they are looking to relocate into buildings elsewhere they already own.
“We have plans, we have a couple buildings we own out on the port previous to this store,” said Lennox. “We’re definitely going to keep things going.”
Lennox and Polmateer said it looks unlikely much will be salvageable from the store’s remains.
“Everything’s pretty much toast,” said Lennox. “You can’t really walk in there because the roof might fall in.”
A fence has since been put up around the building, and Simpson Avenue was narrowed down to one lane as firefighters worked, while 31st street has remained closed next to the store.
Dean Winkle, owner of Servpro of Grays Harbor, was on the scene Tuesday, and said his company will be used to provide restoration service.
“It’s another one, it’s been heartbreaking, one after the other,” said Winkle. “To go from the museum to this, and the apartment fire down the street, it really heartbreaking.”
Between 700-800 houses temporarily lost power when the power was shut off to the area so firefighters could more safely work, but power has since been restored to most of the area around the Harbor Saw building, according to Ian Cope from Grays Harbor PUD.