Marysville lumber mill fire ruled suspicious

MARYSVILLE — Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire that collapsed the roof of the Welco Lumber mill along Ebey Slough on the evening of July 23, although they have ruled it suspicious and noted reports of teens in the area earlier that afternoon.

By Staff • July 26, 2010 6:55 pm

MARYSVILLE — Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire that collapsed the roof of the Welco Lumber mill along Ebey Slough on the evening of July 23, although they have ruled it suspicious and noted reports of teens in the area earlier that afternoon.

Marysville Fire District crews were dispatched at approximately 8:15 p.m. that day in response to reports of a large fire and smoke coming from the building at 1218 First Street in Marysville.

“A large thermal column could be seen from miles around,” said Kristen Thorstenson, public education specialist and information officer for the Marysville Fire District. “A second alarm was quickly toned out. First arriving crews arrived to find the structure fully involved. They immediately went into defensive mode to gain control of the fire, which had already consumed most of the building.”

The mill was vacant and no injuries were reported, but according to officials, squatters and transients have been a problem in that area. The Marysville Fire District and Police Department are investigating the cause of the fire, and as many as 50 firefighters from neighboring districts assisted the Marysville Fire District, including Tulalip Bay, Everett, Getchell, Lake Stevens and Stanwood.