Ballard Fire Caused An Estimated $3 Million In Damage

SEATTLE, WA — A fire that swept through a Ballard shopping center Monday, destroying four businesses and damaging a fifth, caused at least $3 million in damage, according to Seattle Fire estimates. Half of that total relates to property damage, while the other half accounts for the building's contents.

Fire investigators completed their investigation into Monday's three-alarm blaze late Tuesday morning. An official ruling on the fire's cause was not possible, due to the extent of the fire's damage, but investigators said the most likely culprit was overheated electrical equipment in the space between the ceiling and roof, on the building's northeast corner.

Firefighters credited a large firewall, between Coleman Jewelers and Pho Big Bowl, for stopping flames from spreading even further across the strip mall. Investigators said no such fire stops were found in the attic space, which helped the initial fire spread so quickly through the structure. Four businesses are considered a total loss: Kitchen n Things, La Isla, Super Cuts and Coleman Jewelers. The pho restaurant suffered heavy smoke damage.

Crews are still on the scene of Monday's blaze and plan to remain on fire watch until there is no chance of reigniting. The Seattle Department of Transportation is working to reopen northbound lanes of 24th Avenue Northwest, which has been closed since the fire began. One southbound lane reopened early Tuesday.

Business owners returned to the area Tuesday morning, speaking to Mayor Jenny Durkan and local news outlets about yesterday's events and what comes next. The mayor pledged city support for them and their employees as they work to rebuild. The Ballard Alliance also launched a fundraiser to create a relief fund for the businesses affected by the fire. By mid-day, more than $20,000 had already been raised.