Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> Contributed Photo  (click to enlarge) Emory’s Restaurant on Silver Lake was destroyed by a three-alarm fire Monday. The blaze caused $2 million in damage. (click to enlarge)   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Emory’s owner fears fire was arson Emory Cole says a flurry of arsons makes him suspicious. Everett officials haven’t said what started the fire. By Debra Smith Herald Writer EVERETT — The owner of a restaurant that was destroyed by fire early Monday worries that the $2 million blaze may have been deliberately set. Emory Cole, owner of Emory’s on Silver Lake, said it appears the fire started on the restaurant’s deck or in the nearby lounge. A series of photos taken from across the lake show the fire in its early stages licking up from the side of the restaurant facing the water. The building featured an expansive deck overlooking Silver Lake. Cole said a recent flurry of as many as 10 arsons in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood makes him wonder if the fire at his restaurant was arson, too. “It’s awfully odd and awfully suspicious to see the other fires the same morning,” he said. Everett city officials on Monday were sharing few details about what they are learning about the blaze. “The investigation is still continuing,” city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said. She also declined to share where investigators believe the fire likely started. Emory’s opened in 1994 on the site of the former Silver Beach Resort, a private park dating back to the 1930s. The restaurant was Cole’s dream. It featured Mediterranean and Asian-inspired cuisine and quickly became a popular hangout for locals. Cole, the former mayor of Mukilteo, is now contacting insurance officials and beginning to plan how Emory’s will come back. Rebuilding a business he invested 20 years of his life into won’t happen quickly, he said. He wants to rebuild. “That’s our intention,” he said. “I’m not ready to retire yet.” Meanwhile, Cole is doing everything in his power to find work elsewhere for his former employees, including calling other restaurant owners. He worries about what will happen to the people who relied on him for a paycheck as the holidays approach. “I have 50 employees looking for gainful employment,” he said. “I’ve got some great people if anybody out there needs need good servers, hostesses, cooks or bartenders.” Potential employers can contact him through his Web site at www.emorys.com, he said. Those who wish to help his staff can donate money to funds at any branch of Cascade Bank or Citybank. Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com. Help Emory’s staff You may donate cash to help the staff of Emory’s on Silver Lake, which was destroyed by a fire Monday morning, at any Cascade Bank or Citybank, 1504 132nd St. SE, Mill Creek. The name of the Citybank fund is “Emory’s Assist 2009.” At Cascade Bank mention Emory’s restaurant. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Crash victim warned his students against DUI 2. Medical examiner investigator arrives at crash scene, arrested on suspicion of DUI 3. Highway 9 crash is worst alcohol-related accident in Snohomish County in 14 years 4. Seattle patrolman kills suspected police killer; accomplices charged 5. Lynnwood swimmer turns therapy into competitive passion 6. Verizon landline sale advances 7. Man who killed daughter gets 13 years 8. Monroe home destroyed by fire 9. New police program aims to reduce prescription drug overdoses 10. Kamiak teacher in final 2 for CMT contest 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million