No one hurt in accidental fire in Lake Stevens workshop

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 4, 2017

LAKE STEVENS — A fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon in a workshop along N. Machias Road was determined to be an accident.

Firefighters arrived at the shop in the 800 block of N. Machias Road shortly after 3 p.m. to find flames and smoke.

There were reports of explosions.

Firefighters found a few oxygen and helium tanks, said David Petersen, the Lake Stevens Assistant Fire Marshal. There also were gallon-sized and small camping propane tanks.

No one was injured.

The homeowner had been at the grocery store when a neighbor called to warn him about the fire, Petersen said.

The inside of the shop sustained smoke and flame damage.

The total damages was estimated to cost $80,000, Petersen said.

N. Machias Road was closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, but was expected to reopen within the hour.