Tumwater and several other fire departments responded to a fire yesterday that destroyed the building that formerly housed the South Pacific Restaurant.
Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley told The JOLT that the first call came in at 2:08 p.m., alerting crews to a small fire in the building's backside deck area.
The well-known building on Capitol Boulevard has been unoccupied for several years since the business closed. Located on the corner of Custer Way, the location is immediately adjacent to several of the former Olympia Brewing Company buildings.
Responding units from Tumwater, Olympia, McLean Black Lake and Lacey extinguished the flames and secured the structure.
A second call was reported at 3:28 p.m. of a more severe fire towards the back of the building.
Crews returned to find the fire had spread and firefighters continued working late into the evening. Tumwater firefighters returned to the site early this morning to fully extinguish the fire.
Roads around the restaurant remained closed overnight for crews to make sure the fire was out and to clean up.
“All roads reopened at approximately 9:30 a.m. after crews spent the evening on fire watch for light smoke and smoldering in the remaining parts of the structure,” Tumwater stated in a news release.
Tumwater Fire is investigating the cause of the fire.
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Boatyarddog
Sorry to see it go ;)
Been an eyesore for years.
Tuesday, June 25 Report this
JamesBishop
JMB
Alot of history has been lost as in my younger days this business was known as The Oregon Trail, a going place for eating, drinking and entertainment.
Tuesday, June 25 Report this
FirstOtter
I ate there once, many years ago. Once was all it took for me to never go back. While the egg roll I ordered was huge, it was also very dark and greasy...an indication that the cooks were using day old oil.
Tuesday, June 25 Report this
pbaron1902
Many happy times had in this building in over 30 years!
Tuesday, June 25 Report this
pheong
Johnny Kangas, you back in town? Arson, it's the Oly Way; one might say that "It's In The Water". So many troublesome old buildings and warehouses mysteriously just . . . go up in smoke! I had full, daily access to the Yard Bird's building up to the night it was lit afire. I saw the stage being set for its torching. Its owner avoided substantial clean-up costs due to its destruction by fire (arson). Johnny now works for its former owner in Hawai'i. But have a tiny two-log fire in your back yard and have the neighbor call? Pumper truck poised to blast you and it into a corner. No, no fines were ever levied as the city had been itching to build housing. I offered info to the investigative unit. No, thanks, we're done with our 'investigation'.
Tuesday, June 25 Report this
KentReister
I'm glad they are planning a new bridge across the Deschutes. This fire made me detour for 6 miles on my way to work.
Wednesday, June 26 Report this