Othello fire cause still under investigation

OTHELLO — The cause of the Friday afternoon fire that destroyed a longtime Othello business is still under investigation.

Adams County Fire District No. 5 chief Gary Lebacken said that means fire district officials don’t know yet what caused the fire at the Pik-N-Pop. The spectacular fire destroyed the building housing the deli and mini-mart and the China Express restaurant. The fire did not damage the gas pumps in front the building.

Fire crews also kept it from spreading to the Burger King franchise and other buildings behind it. When crews identify buildings at risk around a fire, “we fight to protect those as well,” Lebacken said.

Lebacken said the fire was reported about 1:23 p.m. Friday, and fire crews remained on the scene until 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

So far the investigation has determined the fire “spread through concealed space and went unnoticed for a period of time.” Fire officials don’t know how long the fire had been burning before it was discovered, he said.

The firefighting crew included Fire District No. 5, 21 firefighters total, and one engine each from Grant County Fire District No. 10 (Royal City) and Grant County Fire District No. 11 (Royal Slope).

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.