YAKIMA, Wash. – The fire that broke out at the Les Schwab Tire Center on South 1st Street has been determined to be caused by an accidental electrical fire, according to the Yakima Fire Department.
The Yakima Fire Department first received the call around 5:40 a.m., calling on all companies to respond to the fire. In total, Yakima Fire, West Valley Fire, and East Valley Fire responded that day. YFD Captain Jeremiah Stilley said incidents like these are tough to fight.
“Those are one of the worst kind of fires. I tell you, I’ve had a couple of them in my career and they are pain,” said Stilley.
Around 11:40 a.m., the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management issued a shelter-in-place order due to a potential hazardous release from smoke. That order was called off around 2:00 p.m.
Stilley also mentioned how difficult it has been for crew memebers after putting out there fire, describing how equipment and hoses are being cleaned for contamination.
“Those issues… they create a little bit of hardship with us, but we’re all working through it,” said Stilley.
Cathy Miller, the regional marketing director at Les Schwab, provided a statement to NonStop Local about the fire.
“We are working diligently with the Washington State Department of Ecology and other partners to prevent any impact to the water supply and any other environmental risk.”Thankfully, there were no injuries… We are working with the appropriate partners to ensure everyone is safe and supported.”
Stilley also says they’re still working to determine what all was lost in the fire, as well as how much it will cost Les Schwab.
“That’s going to take a little bit of time before we can get that. We’re probably going to wait for their insurance adjusters that can give us a way more accurate number that we can provide,” said Stilley.
Miller noted that the store remains closed with no set timeframe for reopening. Customers are advised to use other Les Schwab locations in Yakima for their needs.
