Quick action averts disaster in Soap Lake's business district

SOAP LAKE - Quick action and speedy work by 25 central Washington firefighters averted a potential disaster for this community's business district on the morning of Sept. 15.

A fire that was detected at about 7:30 a.m. in a business establishment was contained within that building. It and its contents were destroyed, but adjacent buildings were saved.

According to Grant County Emergency Management public information officer Kyle Foreman, an occupant of a backside apartment reported the fire in the 300 block of Main Ave. East.

Upon arriving, Soap Lake firefighters found the storefront business fully ablaze, Foreman said. They called the Ephrata Fire Dept. and Grant County Fire Districts Nos. 7 and 13 for assistance. The fire was under control by 8:30, Foreman said.

The building is owned by Ted Kallstrom of Quincy, according to Foreman. It housed a Christian-based youth outreach program. The roof caved in during the blaze.

According to Foreman, two adjacent buildings sustained heat, smoke, fire and water damage but were left standing.

"Were it not for the teamwork, skills and efforts of local firefighters, the entire block may have been destroyed," Foreman said.

Investigation of the fire's cause was turned over to the Grant County Sheriff's office.

- Staff report