FFs Go Defensive on Vacant WA Building Fire

West Pierce firefighters responded to a small fire in the vacant Lakewood building last week, and used a defensive attack Wednesday.

By Peter Talbot

Source The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) (TNS)

Dec. 16, 2021

Firefighters battle heavy fire through the roof at a Lakewood commercial building fire.

Dec. 15—Firefighters in Lakewood responded to the scene of a large commercial building fire Wednesday morning. Photos from the scene showed a huge plume of smoke coming from the building.

Crews from West Pierce Fire & Rescue were dispatched about 7:20 a.m. to the fire in the 9600 block of Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest. Fire crews asked people to avoid the area. No injuries have been reported.

By about 8:50 a.m. the smoke and flames had weakened, but fire crews were still pouring water on the building and working to get the blaze under control, West Pierce Fire & Rescue spokesperson Jenny Weekes said. She said it was too dangerous for firefighters to enter the building.

The fire was in a building that has long been vacant, Weekes said. She said fire crews have been called there as recently as Friday to put out a small fire.

Gravelly Lake Drive was closed from Lake Grove Street Southwest to Mt Tacoma Drive Southwest while crews responded to the blaze. Police said the roads could be closed for several hours.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

This story was originally published December 15, 2021 7:59 AM.

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