[1]A fire alarm summoned about 30 firefighters to Cenex in Chehalis last night. / Courtesy photo by Dalten Crosby
Updated at 12:50 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – An overnight fire at Cenex on Northwest State Street in Chehalis destroyed its building but nobody was injured.
The cause is under investigation.
Firefighters called about 10:34 p.m. found flames already coming through the roof of the approximately 50-foot by 200-foot metal sided building, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.
Cenex’s fuel pumps and underground tanks didn’t come into play, but crews had numerous LPG tanks they had to keep cool to keep them from exploding, according to the fire department.
The building which holds offices and storage contained numerous 55-gallon drums of lubricating oil, many of which exploded, Fire Chief Ken Cardinale sad.
“We had 10 to 15 explosions,” Cardinale said. “From numerous BBQ-sized propane tanks.”
Because of the concern about the hazardous runoff, at about midnight they decided to stop putting water on the fire and let the product burn off, he said.
They managed to keep the oils and related products out of a nearby creek, Cardinale said. Hazardous materials response people were on the scene this morning.
West Main Street is closed this morning from Interstate 5 to Northwest Chehalis Avenue.
Cardinale said he expected they would be out there all day.
The Chehalis Fire Department was assisted by Lewis County Fire District 6, Riverside Fire Authority and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.
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[2]The fire at Cenex as the sun comes up today. / Courtesy photo by Charles DiMaggio