Investigators follow strip mall fire leads
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, August 19, 2004
LYNNWOOD – Investigators are still looking into the cause of a fire that destroyed two businesses at a strip mall and damaged three others Wednesday morning.
“We do have some leads. As to a cause, we can’t say yet,” said Brenda Larsen, Snohomish County deputy fire marshal.
The fire gutted the New Seoul Korean Restaurant and a former bookstore in the 14000 block of Highway 99. It also caused severe damage to the Pantry Cafe.
The fire started in the back corner of the Korean restaurant, said Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes. A passerby reported the blaze about 12:40 a.m. Damage to the buildings was estimated at more than $500,000, Hynes said.
Two other businesses at the north end of the mall were damaged by water.
Tom McAllees, who owns One-Eyed Jack’s Roadhouse, a neighboring business, has organized a car wash to help employees at the Pantry Cafe. It will be 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday outside the tavern, at 14005 Highway 99.
There also will be a “shine and show” for classic car owners Sunday. The entry fee is $5.
