Olympia Fire Department Press Release: 212 4th Avenue East (downtown Olympia fire)

City of                                                                      

OLYMPIA                                                              

Fire Department                                               

At 5:47 this morning, the Olympia Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire at 212 4^th Avenue East.  911 Dispatch received several calls reporting smoke from the roof of the Reef café.  Olympia Firefighters arrived 3 minutes later at later at 5:50.  Upon arrival firefighters found fire in the back corner, office area of the structure with extension into the roof area.

Firefighters attacked the fire from the inside and the roof.  Fire was contained to the business of origin and did not spread to the adjacent businesses but there was heavy fire damage to one corner of the building.  The kitchen, bar and eating area were not damaged by fire but did receive smoke and water damage.    Fire was reported under control at 6:40.  There were no injuries to firefighters or the public.   The building was closed at the time of the fire, owners had left at about 4:30 and reported that everything was turned off and locked.

This fire response included three Olympia Engine Companies, one Ladder Company, two Medic Units, and a Command Unit.  Lacey Fire District 3 responded 2 engines and a ladder truck.  Thurston County Fire District 8 responded with one engine.  Olympia Public Works responded with a sand truck to melt ice and snow on the streets around the fire building.  Olympia was receiving heavy snow at the time of the fire.   Olympia Police closed 4^th Avenue and State Avenue, the two main thoroughfares in downtown Olympia for the duration of the fire.  All streets were back open by 8:00.  Intercity Transit provided a bus for firefighter rehab and for shelter to the business owners who came to the scene to see their business on fire.

The Reef was struck by fire in November of 2008.  The establishment re-opened in July of 2010.

Units remain on scene to complete overhaul this morning and begin the fire investigation to determine the cause of the fire.  Property loss is estimated at $100,000.  The business will be closed for an undetermined amount of time.  For further information contact Olympia Fire Department 360-753-8348.

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