SNOHOMISH — Investigators say they may never know what caused the massive April 20 fire at Snohomish Storage on Bickford.
The fire apparently started at the back of a motor home, according to an investigation by Snohomish County Deputy Fire Marshal Gary Bontrager. The motor home was parked in a covered storage area of the business at 2020 Bickford Avenue. The fire spread to nearby buildings and more than a dozen motor homes and cars. No one was hurt.
The total damage took weeks to calculate. The latest estimate is up to $2.5 million, Bontrager said.
Large fires with extensive damage often are ruled undetermined. That means there was not enough evidence available to pinpoint an exact cause. In the case of the storage fire, there was no sign of any crime, Bontrager said.
The blaze broke out in the early morning hours. Heavy winds and the steep, terraced layout of the site made it difficult to extinguish, according to the fire department. As many as 50 firefighters responded.
The business is on acreage owned by a Snohomish-based limited liability company. The company owns several parcels in the area. Some are developed and some are vacant.
The total value of stored items was about $10 million, officials said. Some of the damaged vehicles had been worth up to $100,000 each.
Reporter Caitlin Tompkins contributed to this story.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.
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