Councilman sounds alarm to fire

By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

EVERETT — City council president Frank Anderson may soon be Everett’s new mayor. But even before Anderson takes over, he’s already having a positive impact on people’s lives.

Even the lives of his adversaries.

"I give him hero status," Howie Bargreen said Monday.

Bargreen owns a Hewitt Avenue building that was saved from severe water damage Sunday when an alert Anderson discovered trouble and called 911. In last November’s election, Bargreen helped campaign for Mary Ehrlich, who opposed Anderson for his council seat.

"I think he’s off to a good start," Bargreen said. "He probably knew that was my building, and he still made the call."

Anderson, a retired firefighter, doesn’t agree about the hero status but gives credit to the firefighters. And, the councilman added with a chuckle, he likes Bargreen and would have helped him regardless of who he campaigned for.

Anderson, 62, said he wants to take over as mayor should current Mayor Ed Hansen accept the Snohomish County Public Utilities District’s offer to become its new general manager.

On Sunday, Anderson acted quickly just a few hours after arriving home from an East Coast conference. He and his wife were driving home after a Mother’s Day dinner when Anderson heard a distinctive ringing of a bell at Hewitt Avenue and Broadway.

"Being an old fire dog, you notice things someone else might not," Anderson said.

Anderson rolled down his car window and tried to follow the bell, which led him to the Old Monastery Woodworks at 2110 Hewitt Ave. Anderson saw water coming from the building and figured out a fire must have occurred causing the sprinklers to go off.

Bargreen, who has owned the building since 1932, said sprinklers were installed in 1979 when the building became a wood shop.

Knowing unchecked sprinklers can cause severe water damage to a building, Anderson called 911. He found out after firefighters arrived that the fire had set off three sprinklers.

It appears that Anderson made the 911 call the same time an Everett police officer called in the problem at about 8:20 p.m. This particular building has an outside alarm bell so when the inside sprinklers are set off, a small stream of water is diverted to the mechanical bell outside the building so passers-by can hear it, Fire Marshal Warren Burns said.

"The sprinkler system saved that business," Burns said.

Fire officials said the fire probably started with an electrical short from a refrigerator. No damage estimate was available.

You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097

or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.