The Ballard warehouse that was destroyed in a June fire is expected to be demolished and put up for sale.
Seattle Fire says the three-alarm fire in June at 4222 8th Ave NW was deemed accidental, and that it originated inside the warehouse on shelves containing flammable substances. More than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze, which caused the roof to collapse.
The fire began shortly after 5 p.m. on June 11 and spread quickly in windy conditions, according to the Seattle Fire Department. Crews fought it from outside the building, while Fireboat 1 pumped water from the Ship Canal to support the response. The fire was under control by 7:39 p.m. One firefighter sustained a minor injury but did not need to be taken to a hospital.
According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, the Yeakel family, who have owned the property for 74 years, plans to demolish the building by October and list the land for sale. The 40,000-square-foot warehouse was built in 1952 as a manufacturing facility for the Northwest Bolt and Nut Co., but has served as the headquarters for the Oregon-based plumbing company Consolidated Supply Co. for the past 29 years. Five years ago, it became the sole tenant of the warehouse.
Consolidated Supply operates in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The PSBJ reports that Consolidated Supply’s insurance companies are conducting their own investigations into the fire.
The 2.2-acre property is zoned for industrial development, but the Yeakel family does not plan to rebuild on the site. The family told the PSBJ that construction costs are high and rental income may not be enough to make redevelopment financially feasible.
King County records show the property value is assessed at $14.8 million.
Photo: Consolidated Supply Co.