Fire destroys Real Deals
The collapsed roof and boarded windows are evidence of the fire that destroyed Real Deals home decor Thursday night.
MOSES LAKE - Real Deals, a Moses Lake home decor business, was engulfed in fire and destroyed Thursday night.
The fire at 1014 W. Marina, was reported at 8:37 p.m., said Pete Kunjara, investigator with the Moses Lake Fire Department.
No one was injured, and firefighters don't think anyone was in the building, said Moses Lake Fire Chief Tom Taylor.
Firefighters found the building heavily engulfed in flames when they arrived, Taylor said.
Crews started what is called the initial attack, working through the roof and windows, Taylor said. But shortly after they arrived the roof collapsed and firefighters were forced to withdraw and "go to defensive operations," he said. The building sustained heavy fire, smoke and water damage, Taylor said, and he wasn't sure what, if anything, could be salvaged.
After the fire, co-owner Kirsha Widdis posted an announcement on the store's Facebook page.
"I post (on Facebook) devastated. Around 8 p.m. tonight Real Deals burnt to the ground, the store is gone. I had no idea today (Thursday) would be our last open. Stay tuned for info. Thank you everyone for your prayers, hugs and support! We love every one of you," she wrote.
Taylor said the cause officially is undetermined, but there are no suspicious circumstances. "We know how it started, but until their insurance investigator gets involved, we will consider it undetermined," Taylor said.
Two structure engines, a ladder truck and about 20 firefighters responded to the scene, Taylor said it took about an hour to extinguish the fire.
A second structure fire was reported while crews were on Marina Drive, and one truck was dispatched to that scene at 2126 Spruce Street, Taylor said.
The residents reported the house was full of white smoke, he said. They evacuated the place and called 911 just like they were supposed to, he said. Firefighters found a malfunctioning microwave oven was the cause of the smoke and removed it.
Most of the fire crew left the Marina Drive scene at about 11:30 p.m., but some remained on scene all night, he said.