Bothell’s Main Street open for business after fire | Message from the mayor

In the early morning on July 22, the historic Mercantile Building on east Main Street caught fire. The building, designed to be rental units, was under construction. The four floors of wood framing were almost done but completely open. When the fire broke out, it quickly turned into an inferno – a very hot fire. Smoke and hot embers spread north to Maywood Hills. You can still see the embers on the playground at Maywood Hills Elementary.

August 5, 2016 4:12 pm
Firefighers pass by the entrance to the Bothell Mall following a fire on Friday
Firefighers pass by the entrance to the Bothell Mall following a fire on Friday

In the early morning on July 22, the historic Mercantile Building on east Main Street caught fire. The building, designed to be rental units, was under construction. The four floors of wood framing were almost done but completely open. When the fire broke out, it quickly turned into an inferno – a very hot fire. Smoke and hot embers spread north to Maywood Hills. You can still see the embers on the playground at Maywood Hills Elementary.

Bothell Fire and E.M.S. units, just blocks away, responded quickly to the Mercantile building, already fully engulfed. The fire quickly spread to the Bothell Mall building across the street, destroying approximately 15 businesses. The quick efforts of multiple agencies prevented the spread of the fire to other Main Street buildings. Bothell Fire and 12 other fire departments deployed a total of 46 fire apparatus, with 126 fire personnel. Luckily, there were no deaths or injuries.

Despite the excellent response, because the fire was so hot, the fire crossed 102nd Street, destroying the Bothell Mall building, including the Kozy Corner Café. The fire crossed Main Street and damaged buildings, porches and landscaping between 102nd and 103rd, on both sides of Main Street.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Bothell Fire and E.M.S. and Bothell Police are being assisted by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team with their specialized equipment and training. The City will receive an investigation report from ATF in the coming weeks.

The City’s focus now is on recovery, helping property owners rebuild while maintaining the historic nature of the old Main Street, assisting businesses get back open for business and assisting employees that lost their jobs. The City has set up a Business Assistance Recovery Team (BART), co-located at City Hall with the Fire Marshal’s Office, as a one-stop information and assistance center.

The fire is a setback in the revitalization of Main Street, and downtown Bothell, but I’m confident we will overcome and become stronger than before. Just the response of our community alone gives me confidence and resolve that we will overcome, together.

If you want to help, go shopping or dining on Main Street and all other downtown businesses, they’re open for business and could use your support during this difficult time.

Andy Rheaume is the mayor of Bothell.