LYNNWOOD — Discarded smoking materials apparently ignited the two-alarm blaze that destroyed a Lynnwood office building on Wednesday.
The fire started about 3 p.m. at the northeast corner of the building along Cedar Valley Road, near its front door, Lynnwood fire spokeswoman Cathy Rizzo said Thursday. No injuries were reported.
Lynnwood fire investigators spent most of Thursday on scene. Crews also remained overnight to monitor hot spots, Rizzo said.
They were still evaluating the damage, she said.
Property records show multiple owners for the two-story property, at least part of which was worth over $1.18 million.
The building housed a variety of businesses, including law offices, an insurance agency and the headquarters for a local biodiesel company.
One occupant, marriage and family therapist Ellen Nelson, posted to her website Thursday, letting clients know she was working on finding a new space.
Her office was destroyed, she wrote.
The fire spread into the building through the crawl space and attic, Rizzo said. It took several hours to extinguish as smoke filled the air and drifted into nearby apartment complexes.
Heavy equipment was used to get into the building on Thursday, due to water and structural damage, Rizzo said.
Firefighters were working with the insurance company, public works, police and a demolition company.
About 30 people had jobs in the building.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com
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