Pick-up fire damages Moses Lake Rite Aid

MOSES LAKE - A pick-up became engulfed in flames while in the pharmacy drive-thru at the Moses Lake Rite Aid Thursday afternoon, damaging a portion of the building.

About 4:30 p.m., a man with his daughter was waiting in the drive-thru to fill a prescription at Rite Aid on South Pioneer Way. His daughter reportedly noticed smoke coming from the hood before the vehicle caught fire. He told police his daughter exited the vehicle and began yelling "fire."

Moses Lake firefighters responded and were able to extinguish the fire, prying open the hood of the older model Ford pickup truck.

Police Chief Dave Ruffin said employees and customers were evacuated from the store as a precaution. The parking lot was also blocked off to traffic during the incident.

The fire caused damage to one of the pillars at the drive-thru. A portion of the roof, tube delivery system and light fixture were also damaged. Firefighters checked the roof area for a potential heat source but did not find any further risk in the structure.

The store remained unoccupied for about 20 minutes before the all clear was given just before 5 p.m.

The cause of the vehicle fire has not been determined.