Evacuations Ordered Amid Fire At Puyallup Cold Storage Facility

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PUYALLUP, WA — A large fire at a Puyallup cold storage facility prompted Puyallup police to issue an evacuation order Saturday for anyone living within a mile of the site.

As of 10:20 a.m., the evacuation order was still in place, police said.

The three-alarm fire was reported shortly after 5:20 a.m. at Washington Cold Storage Inc., located at 240 15th St. SE, according to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. The building contains approximately 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia used for refrigeration, which could trigger an explosion or toxic chemical release.

The evacuation was ordered around 6:30 a.m. Pullayup police requested that anyone living within 1.1. miles of 15 Street SE and East Pioneer Avenue leave their homes immediately.

A reverse 911 call was placed to anyone living in the affected area, police said.

Residents and motorists are also being asked to avoid the area.

Saturday's Pullayup Farmers Market has been canceled due to the fire, police said. The Pullayup School District also canceled all planned sporting events and activities.

Anyone evacuating who needs a place to stay may go to Puyallup Nazarene Church, police said. The church is located at 1026 7th Ave. SW.

As of 8:10 a.m., police said they had no estimated time for the evacuation to end. Meanwhile, residents may call 253-841-5415 for more information about the fire or evacuation.

Anyone needing non-emergency assistance from Pullayup police can call the emergency operations center at 253-864-4170.