KENT, Wash. — One person was killed and a tile and countertop business was destroyed in Kent after a fire broke out early Friday morning.
Puget Sound Fire was called to the 1500 block of Central Avenue South just after 4 a.m. to a report of a commercial building fire. As firefighters approached, they could see the thermal column originating from the fire at a distance. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters could see flames coming through the roof of the warehouse.
Crews focused their initial efforts on protecting the buildings to the south and west of the tile business, which have only sustained minimal damage, according to Puget Sound Fire Division Chief Public Information Officer Pat Pawlak.
Later Friday afternoon, Puget Sound Fire reported that firefighters found one victim inside the business.
Firefighters poured water on the fire from ladder trucks. The roof of the business collapsed, meaning there are some spots of the fire that were difficult to access.
Central Avenue South is currently closed down and will likely remain so for the next two to three hours, Pawlak said. People traveling between Kent and Auburn are asked to find alternate routes.
Valley Regional Fire, South King Fire and Rescue and King County Medic One also responded to the scene.