Officials: Roofing work sparked massive Renton fire

By KOMO Staff

Summary

The massive blaze that gutted a new condo building under construction on Tuesday night was accidentally sparked by a roofing crew, investigators said.

Story Published: Jul 2, 2009 at 3:30 PM PST

Story Updated: Jul 2, 2009 at 3:30 PM PST

Officials: Roofing work sparked massive Renton fire
RENTON, Wash. -- The massive blaze that gutted a new condo building under construction on Tuesday night was accidentally sparked by a roofing crew, investigators said.

Flames torched Harrington Square in the Renton Highlands and sent sounds of booming explosions thundering throughout the neighborhood.

The new development in the 900 block of Harrington Avenue Northeast was nearly 50 percent complete when fast-moving flames burned it down to a pile of rubble.

Some $11 million went up in flames, fire officials said. Without drywall in place, the building's wood frame had burned like a bonfire.

No one was injured in the fire. The police officer was hit by a pickup truck while directing traffic around the fire. That officer sustained minor injuries and is recovering at home. The pickup driver was cited for driving under the influence and reckless driving.