Shelter-in-place advisory lifted for downtown Puyallup
PUYALLUP, Wash. - Officials have lifted a shelter-in-place advisory for people living within a one-mile radius of the fire at a cold storage facility in downtown Puyallup because of smoke conditions.
However, Pioneeer and 15th are still closed around the fire building. It's unknown how long it will be shut down.
There was a shelter-in-place advisory for anyone within a mile radius of the fire over the weekend.
Crews spent much of the day battling the fire, which sent huge plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
A spokesperson with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue says the fire command is letting certain areas of the storage facility to burn because of the hazardous materials. They say it is safer to left the materials burn and disperse at a high altitude then to "blanket the community in cold smoke."
Crews first responded to the Washington Cold Storage Building at 240 15th St SE around 5 a.m. Saturday after a someone called 911 to report flames and smoke coming from the building.
A spokesperson with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue says the building contains approximately 1,000 lbs of anhydrous ammonia, which is used for refrigeration.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anhydrous ammonia is a clear, colorless gas that can cause nausea and burns to the mouth when inhaled. Exposure to large amounts of the gas can even be fatal.
Multiple agencies are assisting with the fire and in evacuating an area 1.1 miles around the fire. Police have not said when the evacuation zone will be cleared but say it will be in place for several hours.
If you are within the red circle pictured below, Puyallup Police encourage that you evacuate.
Officials say around 10,000 people were notified to evacuate. Currently, 86 people are at the Puyallup Nazarene Church on 7th Ave Southwest, which is being used as an evacuation location for residents.
Puyallup Police have been using a reverse 911 system and social media to evacuate anyone in the area. The Puyallup Farmers Market as well as a Drive-In Movie at the Washington State Fair were canceled Saturday. The fairgrounds was also evacuated.
No injuries have been reported.
The City of Puyallup has opened its emergency operations center. Anyone who needs non-emergency assistance can call 253-864-4170.
