BOTHELL, Wash. — The community of Bothell is working to recover after flames destroyed fifteen businesses and damaged five more.
On Thursday at a block party on Main Street, the community raised more than $57,000 for those who were affected by the fire.
>>Donate to the Bothell Fire Fund here.
The fire started last Friday in the old mercantile building, which was under construction.
The fire then jumped across the street and destroyed the Bothell Mall. The building held fifteen businesses, including the Kozy Corner Cafe and Level Seven Salon. Salon owner Andrya Rytter-O' Brien says she will reopen, but will have to relocate. Rytter-O'Brien said she can't wait for the Bothell Mall to be rebuilt.
"It's starting over 100 percent. I don't have scissors, I don't have a comb. I don't have a squirt bottle, the basic essentials to go back to work," said Rytter-O'Brien.
Business owners met with Bothell city leaders on Wednesday afternoon. The city created a "Business Assistance Recovery Team". Fire victims could talk to city, county, state, and federal representatives at one place about what resources are available.
The Bothell Fire Department told the victims they are dedicated to their recovery. Investigators from ATF are still working to determine how the fire started.
Many of the workers in the Bothell Mall were independent contractors, so they do not have access to unemployment, according to the Bothell Chamber of Commerce. There are also small businesses impacted, that didn't have insurance: a massage therapist, wedding planners, and an acupuncturist.
George Ahearn owns Evergreen Karate and Jiu-Jitsu just down the street. He experienced water damage in the basement and a leaking ceiling. During the cleanup, the restoration crew found asbestos in the ceiling.
"They're tracking the water damage and they're like, 'That might be asbestos'," said Ahearn.
The popcorn ceiling had been sealed in by a previous owner and was safe, but it became compromised by water damage after the fire. Now, Ahearn must rip it all out. "My worry is does my insurance cover that? This is all new information I'm getting today, " said Ahearn. Ahearn spent the day working with his insurance company and told KIRO-7 he thinks the repairs will be covered.
He has 220 students and hopes to use his old space which was two blocks away.
The Bothell Chamber of Commerce is working with Northshore Rotary to collect funds for the fire victims. They are working with guidance from the Phinney Neighborhood Association which has experience helping small business owners. The Phinney Neighborhood Association helped business owners after the Greenwood explosion last March.