Roof collapses on Harbor Saw building

Fire crews still were extinguishing hot spots in the Harbor Saw & Supply building on Tuesday morning, and damage to the building appears to be extensive.

“We still have some spots to hit, but we’re making progress,” Fire Commander Andy Polmateer said.

On Monday, a fire broke out and fully engulfed the building in the 3100 block of Simpson Avenue. Employees inside the store made it out safely, but a dog that was in the store died, Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers said.

Josh Lennox, an employee and son of store owner Fred Lennox, said they are looking to relocate into other buildings they already own.

“We have plans. We have a couple buildings we own out on the port previous to this store,” Lennox said. “We’re definitely going to keep things going.”

Lennox and a fire commander at the store Tuesday said it looks unlikely much will be salvageable from the store’s remains.

“Everything’s pretty much toast,” Lennox said. “You can’t really walk in there because the roof might fall in.”

A fence has since been put up around the building, and Simpson Avenue was narrowed down to one lane as firefighters worked, while 31st street has remained closed next to the store.

Dean Winkle, owner of Servpro of Grays Harbor, was on the scene Tuesday and said his company will be used to provide restoration service.

“It’s another one, it’s been heartbreaking, one after the other,” Winkle said. “To go from the museum to this, and the apartment fire down the street, it really heartbreaking.”

Between 700-800 houses temporarily lost power when the power was shut off to the area so firefighters could more safely work, but power has since been restored to most of the area around the Harbor Saw building.