Explosive fire destroys downtown buildings in Bothell

[TexasTowelie]

A firefighter walks along a scorched area of Main Street in downtown Bothell following a fire that broke out early Friday morning. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

BOTHELL — Stephan Mourer was locking up the downtown Bothell pub where he tends bar just before 3 a.m. Friday when he heard an explosion. Flames were filling the six-story mercantile building under construction on the next block.

“I was 100 yards away, and the heat was intense,” Mourer said.

His conversation with a 911 operator was punctuated by two more explosions as the fire’s heat set off combustibles.

“That’s when the building’s top blew up,” he said.

Read more: http://www.heraldnet.com/news/morning-fire-destroys-buildings-shuts-down-roads-in-bothell/

[liberalmuse]

1. Heartbreaking.

I live here and it's a huge loss. Lots of historical buildings and small businesses destroyed in our nice downtown. I don't have the heart to drive down and see the destruction just yet.

[TexasTowelie]

2. It's sad to read about the damage done by the fire, particularly with respect to the

historical buildings. Thankfully nobody was hurt in the fire. It will take time for the damage to be fixed, but eventually your city will heal.

[Warpy]

3. A sporting goods store in my dad's hometown blew up in the 60s

Speculation at the time was that there might have been a box or two of dynamite in the basement for illegal fishing but it was never proven, the explosion being attributed to a broken gas line. It also took the center of town with it when it went, all the Victorian buildings with creaky wooden floors.

They did rebuild and my dad said they did a beautiful job. Your town will rebuild, too, possibly keeping or exceeding the charm that was destroyed by fire.