News brief: Origin of downtown fire pinned to Betty’s boutique

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The Matz building from Tower Avenue side today. / Courtesy photo by Ali Hallam

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The downtown Centralia fire that left more than a dozen people homeless and destroyed five businesses did indeed originate in Curious Betty’s boutique, authorities said this afternoon.

After demolition crews made it safe to enter a portion of the formerly two-story building, investigators were able to take a closer look, according to city spokesperson Officer John Panco.

They already knew it began on the first floor, and now they have concluded it started at the location where the boutique once stood, Panco said in a news release.

The chief fire investigator has said it was possible a candle in the shop ignited Tuesday’s early morning blaze. The official cause however remains undetermined, according to Panco.

The masonry Dr. Matz building, erected in 1889 at the corner of Tower Avenue and Main Street, was the oldest non-wooden structure in Centralia.

Demolition crews are expected to continue working tomorrow, but will shut down on Sunday and resume on Monday, according to Panco.

One lane of South Tower Avenue – the primary route through downtown – has been reopened.

Main Street between Tower and Pearl Street will stay closed to vehicles to allow trucks to carry away debris, according to Panco.

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Watch video of the Matz building coming down posted Thursday February 16, at 6:21 p.m. on Lewis County Sirens Facebook group page by David Troglin, here

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 17th, 2012 at 3:46 pm and is filed under News briefs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

4 Responses to “News brief: Origin of downtown fire pinned to Betty’s boutique”

  1. Nick says:
    Monday, February 20, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Hey Sig can you read? It says the photo was submitted, not taken by Sharyn. Go complian somewhere else if you don’t like it here! I appreciate what Sharyn does for us, you know not charging us for the local news and all. Wake up man, you’re complaining about something you are getting for FREE!

  2. Sig says:
    Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    Hey thanks for getting out of your car to take the picture? WTF? Lazy reporting is not your specialty we expect much more from you. If you can’t get out the car please crop it!

  3. diane says:
    Friday, February 17, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    great article Sharyn, and thanks for the photo Ali.

  4. Ali says:
    Friday, February 17, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    Great Job, Sharyn!