Crews from five departments converge on Mary’s Corner south of Chehalis. / Courtesy photo byTiffany Dolin
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A deli and pizza business south of Chehalis sustained heavy fire and smoke damage last night, but nobody was injured.
Flames were reported by a woman in the building to 911 about 7:40 p.m. and she confirmed everyone evacuated the business on U.S. Highway 12 at Jackson Highway, according to Lewis County Fire District 5.
“As far as I know, it wasn’t open,” Firefighter Maria Kennedy said. “I don’t know if there were other people with her or not.”
Responding crews could see a column of smoke when they turned the corner at Koontz Road, a mile away, Kennedy said. When they arrived, flames were rising from the roof of Mary’s Corner Deli she said.
Kennedy said they focused on the back part of the building from the exterior at first, trying to keep the fire from extending into the coffee shop portion in the front.
Firefighters from Toledo, Winlock, Salkum and rural Chehalis assisted, she said.
There’s no fire hydrants in the area so they shuttled water in tenders, she said.
Firefighters finished up about midnight, but continued a fire watch through the night to make sure nothing rekindled, according to Kennedy.
A fire investigator came to the scene and is investigating the cause.
Yes, we know that AJ suffered a loss due to the fire as well…but to insinuate that nobody cares or is insensitive( because all of the comments,post and support are for Liz and her deli)about AJ’s business being lost as well is ridiculous…the overwhelming support for the deli speaks volumes about just how many and how dedicated the delis’ customers are…and not about being insensitive for AJ…maybe you should reach out to AJ’s customers and insinuate they don’t care about AJ’s loss because they are not showing thier support
Why everyone so concerned about the deli and what about the owner of the building and espresso shes a wonderful lady and made great coffee. Its very sad for both businesses ruined. Yes the owner lost her business but so did AJ who actually owned the building so please remember there is more the one loss here. AJ i hope u do rebuild and i will be first inline when u reopen
Beenthere word on the street was pretty close. It would of been the day of the fire I had just gotten in 20 cases of Pizza Crusts for another business.. so word on the street was right. Thank you all for your kind words.
Dan: Do you know something everyone else doesn’t? Courage to share it?
Karma!
There was more than just one business there. I hope people realize that it isn’t just Liz that lost a business. AJ owns the building and runs the coffee shop lost everything that night.
Word on the street is that several people were loading trucks full of stuff the night before the fire.
Well, that stinks. Hate to see something like that happen, especially to an independent family-run business (yeah, Darren, that’s the place). Thankfully nobody was hurt and I hope they’re able to bounce back.
WE LOVE YOU TOO LIZ & TAYLOR!!! HANG IN THERE!!! ~ Dette, Angie, Jordan & Cody
Was that the espresso shop?
Only been there once, but was very impressed!! Sure hope you can rebuild – best of luck!!
Liz you’ll be up and running before you know it!!
We love you Liz!!!