UPDATE: No Evidence of Malicious Intent Found, Cause Still Unknown

UPDATE: Friday, July 6, 6:16 p.m.

According to the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office, no evidence of malicious intent was found at the scene. The origin of the fire was determined to be near the old electric outlets located on the outer building.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 3, 4:41 p.m.

Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One released the following statement:

The Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Thrift Store, located in Gig Harbor, is still under investigation by the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Investigator Rod Lasher, determined the loss to be valued at $61,000. The structure is valued at $51,000 and the contents at $10,000.

The loss to the community and those who benefited from the donations and funds raised can not be measured. 

According to  Prevention Specialist Nanette Tatom, the injured firefighter is at home recovering with a knee injury that will likely leave her off duty for up to 6 weeks. The condition of the apartment resident is unknown.

ORIGINAL: Tuesday, July 3, 8:57 a.m.

Local firefighters responded to two fires in Gig Harbor late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. The first fire response came in just before 11 p.m. at the located at 5900 Soundview Dr., according to Prevention Specialist Nanette Tatom.

A neighbor reported what appears to have been a kitchen fire in an apartment where a man, the occupant, tried to extinguish the fire with a dry chemical fire extinguisher. The occupant apparently was overcome with smoke and possibly inhaled some of the dry chemical extinguishing agent and was found unresponsive in his chair in the apartment. Firefighters were able to rescue man, and paramedics transported him to the hospital. The fire was contained to the unit of origin.

More than 20 personnel and a total of five engines, one ladder from Tacoma Fire, two medic units and support vehicles responded to this alarm.

The second fire response (see attached photos) was dispatched at 1:30 a.m. at the  at 6951 Kimball Dr. Firefighters responded to find the 20 ft. by 20 ft. main building fully engulfed in flames. Tatom said the fire also extended down the connecting breezeway to the outbuilding (approximately 10 ft. by 20 ft.), which is used for storage of donated goods.

The business is very well known in the community, and proceeds from The Thrift Shop go to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. One firefighter was injured and transported to the hospital. According to the past , the Thrift Shop has been burglarized several times this year.

Five engines, three medic units and support vehicles responded with more than 20 personnel to this alarm.

Both fires are being investigated by the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office.