Originally published November 13, 2009 at 1:10 AM | Page modified November 13, 2009 at 9:24 AM
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Early Friday fire engulfs Shoreline warehouse
Firefighters from multiple departments battled a fire that destroyed N.W. Discount World in Shoreline. Officials said they are investigating all possible causes, including arson.
Seattle Times staff reporter
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CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Firefighters rush down their ladder as flames quickly approach it during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
A firefighter walks through thick smoke during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Flames begins to appear during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
A firefighter turns on his hose on the rear side of the building during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Firefighters at the rear of the building watch as the blaze is battled from above during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Firefighters battle the blaze from above during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Firefighters battle the blaze from above during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Flames engulf the rear of the building during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Flames and smoke emerge from the building's chimney during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
A firefighter sprays water onto the front of the building during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Firefighters watch as flames begin to rise during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Firefighters battle the blaze from the rear of the building during the early morning fire which destroyed N.W. Discount World near Aurora Avenue North and North 170th Street in Shoreline on Nov. 13, 2009.
An abandoned Shoreline warehouse was engulfed by fire early Friday and is being investigated. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters were called out just past midnight to investigate smoke coming from behind the N.W. Discount World warehouse on Aurora Avenue North at North 170th Street. About an hour later, firefighters were ordered to evacuate the structure. Soon after, flames burst through the roof of the warehouse.
Through the pre-dawn hours, firefighters from Shoreline, Seattle, Northshore, Edmonds, Bothell, Kirkland and Mountlake Terrace battled a fire that seemed to match their aerial water cannons with fresh flames and acrid, billowing clouds of smoke.
About a dozen fire engines were called in, and their water lines snaked up and down Aurora Avenue, which was closed to non-emergency vehicles from North 165th Street to North 175th Street starting just past midnight.
Officials said they will close the stretch from North 155th Street to North 175th Street and detour traffic to Meridian Avenue North during the morning commute.
"It's the biggest fire in recent memory," said Melanie Granfors, a spokeswoman for the Shoreline Fire Department. "I would call this a major fire."
The fire was extinguished by 5 a.m., she said.
Investigators are looking at all possible causes for the fire, including arson, Granfors said. A King County fire investigator was on the scene taking photos. Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood, including the business district, has been hit by a string of arsons since June.
"Hopefully it's not arson," said Catherine Gassman, 23, who stood across the street from the blaze for hours watching in wonder. "That's pretty close to home."
Gassman was leaving her grocery store job and riding her bicycle home when she first smelled the smoke. She was 10 blocks away, but the wind blew the smoke north and west.
Kathy Barsness, also a Shoreline resident, is married to a retired police officer who likes to listen to the drone of the scanner before bedtime. It helps him sleep. But on this night, Barsness said, the scanner wasn't quiet, and she heard the sirens from her house, about a quarter-mile from the vacated warehouse.
"If there's nobody in there, what starts a fire like this?" she said, watching from a parking lot. "This isn't a little itty-bitty fire. This is a huge fire."
Barsness said she didn't think the warehouse would be a prime location for a would-be arsonist because of the busy casinos nearby. Patrons from the Club Hollywood Casino to the south and Parkers Casino & Nightclub across the street stepped outside in the cold to see the fire before hurrying back inside.
A faded street sign in front of the burning building advertised the clothing brands Dickies, South Pole and Sean John.
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