Multiple minority-owned businesses destroyed in White Center fire – KIRO 7 News Seattle

WHITE CENTER, Washington – A fire broke through several stores in the White Center early Monday morning. Some of them were just beginning to celebrate, being able to fully serve customers again. Another new store was about to open.

The fire stunned the White Center community. The devastating fire started in the basement of the Lumber Yard Bar and then quietly spread to neighboring shops before anyone noticed.

Firefighters said someone noticed a burning store and at 1:40 a.m. flagged a Seattle Fire Department handcart that happened to pass by, but the fire was already so intense that crews had to fight it from the outside.

“It is a difficult fire to fight. These are older buildings. There are empty rooms and such, places we can’t get because we can’t get in, ”said Eric Autry, a Zone 3 spokesman for the King County Fire District 2.

Sharon Lei is 24 years old and recently graduated from the University of Washington. She was in the process of opening a boba tea and bingsu (Korean shaving rice) shop – with a grand opening slated for late July.

“This is my first business,” said Lei. “All of my savings. That’s why I sold my car, ”she says.

The shop is called “Soother” – named after her dog, who is shown in a cartoon on the walls.

Fire destroyed several White Center stores.

This brand new Boba tea place is one of the gutted shops. The owner tells me that she would have a grand opening this month !! It’s called a pacifier – named after your puppy.

Several GoFundMes. 🙏🏼 Help if you can! https://t.co/1p1Xz91url pic.twitter.com/VL51jntMVY

– Deedee Sun (@ DeedeeKIRO7) July 5, 2021

“Because I love her. She’s a Micro-American bulldog,” said Lei. “The circle – that’s her and round like a boba.”

She said she was still determined to start her business.

“I will still open that. I’m still happy to make people happy, and I’m still happy to deliver good quality, ”said Lei. “The more I talk about it – I’m so excited – but I’m so sad.”

Lei started a GoFundMe so you can help.

Other stores affected are La Típica Oaxaqueña, a Mexican grocery store; Rat city tattoo; and the Westside boxing hall.

The neighboring store, The Lumber Yard Bar, is the first LGBTQ bar in the White Center. It’s also completely destroyed. White Center Pride helped the company roll out a GoFundMe that quickly met its original goal of $ 60,000.

“People have just reopened to full capacity and it’s like this has happened. It’s like getting punched in the stomach over and over again – one punch at a time. It is really tragic; it’s really. Because these are really good people here, ”said Trevor Yerian, who lives in the neighborhood.

Investigators believe the fire was unintentional and not caused by fireworks. The Lumber Yard Bar reported a power outage on July 4th and announced on Facebook that its power would be restored around midnight. Shortly afterwards the fire was called.

King County Executive Dow Constantine visited the fire pit Monday afternoon. He said the county will look at the various funds, grants and technical assistance available to help the businesses.

“These business districts are the heart of the communities and we will help them rebuild. We will help put this business district back together. But that’s a blow to White Center, ”said Constantine.

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