Hand-tool charger suspected in Mountlake Terrace fire

Published 11:57 am Monday, May 19, 2014

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Investigators believe a hand-tool battery charger sparked the early morning fire Sunday at a two-story building in the 21700 block of Highway 99.

Firefighters were called about 1:30 a.m. after police reported smoke coming from the building. The fire caused more than $200,000 in damage.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke throughout the building, said Leslie Hynes, spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District 1.

Crews from Lynnwood and Shoreline also responded. No one was inside the building at the time. No injuries were reported.

The fire started on the lower level of the building in a shop that repairs wheelchair lifts. There was smoke damage throughout the building and limited structural damage. The owners do have insurance.