Moses Lake businesses carry on after fire

MOSES LAKE — Three companies are back in business days after a fire gutted their offices on West Broadway Avenue in Moses Lake Saturday.

The offices of Edward Jones, First National Home Loans and ShirtBuilders were severely damaged by the blaze.

All were insured.

The cause remains under investigation by the Moses Lake Fire Department with assistance from the Ephrata Fire Department and other agencies, including the Moses Lake police. The fire is suspected to be arson.

Edward Jones

Tim Johnson is the financial advisor for Edward Jones and the owner of the building the three businesses were located in.

He assures customers their information is safe and intact after the fire gutted his office.

“It’s not going to affect us or our customers other than being inconvenient,” said Johnson.

The records are backed up by computer in Tempe, Ariz., and St. Louis, Mo., he said.

“We don’t keep any individual information or client records … client files or personal information in our office,” Johnson noted. “It’s all protected.”

The office phone number of 509-765-4077 still operates with calls being forwarded to another Moses Lake office.

“We’re working out of Randy Dickinson’s office temporarily,” Johnson. “It will allow us to service our customers until we rebuild.”

Edward Jones was located in the building for roughly 11 years. He leased the space and eventually bought the building in 2003.

Johnson admitted being frustrated with the loss after the work and money invested into the building recently.

The idea of the fire being set on purpose aggravates him.

“They did it for nothing. There’s no cash or securities kept at the location … there was nothing in there that could do them any good,” Johnson said.

Despite the loss and inconvenience, he remains positive.

“I’m really glad no one was hurt,” Johnson said. “I can’t tell you how fabulous the fire department is. They have been extremely accommodating and  … They have really been a lot of help.”

First National Home Loans

First National Home Loans has helped people obtain mortgages since 1986. Four years ago Joe Auvil purchased the business and moved into the building on West Broadway Avenue.

He said customers can rest assured all paper records were secure and the electronic records are kept off-site.

“It’s especially important for me, it’s my number one priority,” Auvil said. “Most everything is done electronically anymore … we have several redundant systems in place.”

His two employees will continue working while he searches for a new location.

Customers can still reach First National Home Loans by calling the regular phone number of 509-766-7555, which is being forwarded to Auvil.

Losing his office has a positive side, he said.

“I have been absolutely amazed and appreciative of the many phone calls from my competitors and real estate agencies I work with, offering me office space … it’s been a very uplifting experience,” said Auvil. “I’ve been very appreciative.”

Auvil moved the business from a location on Fourth Avenue and said they may move back to their old office location.

“One of the advantages of our business, is that it is so electronic we can set up a laptop and work from there at the moment,” said Auvil. “It is tough of course, it is always nice to have a nice office.”

He expects to have another office set up by the end of the week.

Until the office is relocated, Auvil is happy his company continues operating.

“We’re still here,” he said.

ShirtBuilders

ShirtBuilders, a custom shirt printer, was the latest tenant to move into the building with their door facing Fir Street. They operates in the back half of the building.

Owner John Jeninga said he and his wife Karen have run the business for 27 years, mostly at their former Cascade Valley location at 4033 Ottmar Road.

They moved the business to Moses Lake in August.

Now, after the fire, they are returning to their former location, said Jeninga.

“It’s disappointing, with all the work put into the move … to see it all disappear,” said Jeninga.

Insurance will cover their losses and their orders may be slightly delayed, but Jeninga sees a positive side to the fire.

“I’m really thankful for the response from my friends and the community … Moses Lake is a great town to live in,” Jeninga said.

He said his five employees continue working as they start processing orders at the old Cascade Valley location.

Customers are able to continue calling ShirtBuilders through the existing business phone of 509-765-3885, Jeninga said. He has the phone number transferring calls to him until the number can be relocated.