2-alarm fire breaks out next to former cold storage facility in Puyallup

PUYALLUP, Wash. — A two-alarm fire broke out at a commercial building in Puyallup that’s next to a former cold storage facility that was ravaged by flames two years ago.

Puyallup Police first tweeted about the fire in the area of 15th Street Southeast and East Pioneer at 7:23 a.m.

Police believed the fire was at the site where Washington Cold Storage was once located, but we discovered the fire was actually in a building next door to it, where a meat and fish smoking business had been.

Because the fire is near railroad tracks, all train service through Puyallup is suspended until further notice. At 8:40 a.m., Puyallup Police said the restriction through the city could last five or more hours.

Road closures include 15th Street SE between East Main and East Pioneer, and East Pioneer between State Route 512 and 21st Street Southeast.

Because of concerns that the building could collapse, firefighters fought the flames from outside.

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Logan Kovash said the building is estimated to be 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. He said the “building will be taken down to the ground” to ensure the fire is out.

“There’s a lot of wood in there that would provide tons of fuel for it,” said Kovash.

In August 2021, there was a massive 3-alarm fire at Washington Cold Storage. No one was hurt, but an area of slightly more than a mile encircling the fire was evacuated because anhydrous ammonia, which is used as a refrigerant, was stored inside the building and there were concerns of explosions.

Both buildings are now vacant and police said there is no ammonia threat from the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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