Large Fire Rips Through Puyallup Shopping Center

PUYALLUP, WA — A two-alarm fire at Puyallup's Valley Plaza shopping center destroyed one business and left another heavily damaged Tuesday night. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue arrived at the scene downtown, at East Main and 15th Street Southeast, shortly after 10 p.m. Firefighters reported heavy flames coming from a shoe repair shop and a dry cleaning business.

Central Pierce said firefighters were able to get a handle on the fire around midnight, but they remained on-scene into Wednesday morning monitoring hotspots. Fire investigators told Patch Valley Cleaners — where the fire is believed to have started — is considered a total loss. The neighboring shoe repair store lost the majority of its roof, suffering extensive smoke and water damage, and is unsafe to enter. Firefighters said the shop has been in the community for a long time and they are working to help retrieve any items they can.

"We're trying to get anything we can salvage, safely," said Capt. Darrin Shaw.

The fire marshal is still working to determine what caused the fire and an estimated cost for repairs has not been determined. No injuries were reported. Other businesses in the shopping center suffered minimal damage, and the Safeway remains open as usual.

Patch reader David James sent photos from a drone Wednesday morning, illustrating some of the significant roof damage to the building: