Just before 6 a.m. this morning, VRFA firefighters responded to an initial report of a trash can fire near the 4500 block of A Street SE in Pacific, site of the former Cools Café. Upon arrival firefighters determined that the smoke was coming from inside the structure. Initial entry into building was challenging due to boarded up doors and windows. Once firefighters made access, unsafe conditions forced them to exit the structure. After crews knocked down the bulk of the fire, heavy equipment was brought in to tear down the outer walls of the structure. This provided firefighters better access to extinguish fire still burning under the collapsed roof.

North bound lanes A Street SE remained closed for several hours for fire operations. The VRFA was assisted by South King County Fire & Rescue, Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Zone 3 Fire REHAB, King County Medic One, the Pacific Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, and Puget Sound Energy. As a precaution, one VRFA firefighter was transported to Multicare Auburn Medical Center for evaluation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.