Fire destroys vacant warehouse on South Columbia Street

WENATCHEE — Wenatchee Valley Fire Department crews responded at 1:17 a.m. Monday to a commercial fire at 825 S. Columbia St., finding heavy smoke throughout the basement and first floor of a brick-and-heavy-timber warehouse with fire showing from the basement.

Initial companies entered to search for possible occupants and began an offensive attack using large-bore handlines. Firefighters encountered advanced fire conditions and high heat in the basement and withdrew before completing a primary search, then transitioned to a defensive strategy. Two aerial master streams and multiple large-bore lines were deployed to apply water from the exterior, knocking down most of the fire.

By morning, an excavator was brought in to pull the structure apart to reach hot spots and reduce collapse risk. Fire crews continued working alongside heavy equipment and said extinguishment efforts were expected to last most of the day Monday.

The warehouse, near the corner of Benton Street just across the railroad tracks from the skate park, was recently acquired by Chelan County PUD and slated for demolition to make way for a new electrical substation, according to WVFD. Electrical service to the building had been disconnected some time ago.

Investigators noted evidence of a number of unauthorized entries — some for temporary shelter and others to remove anything valuable that could be found — and said that illegal activity likely contributed to the fire’s start. The incident remains under investigation.

No additional details about possible occupants or injuries were immediately available.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media