Updated at 12:24 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Authorities are investigating an arson that occurred overnight at the offices of a Centralia community services organization.
Fires were intentionally set in two different rooms in the building on the 200 block of West Reynolds Avenue, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
Damage at Reliable Enterprises is estimated at as much as $10,000, according to a news release.
Firefighters responding about 2:35 a.m. to an automatic fire alarm found smoke coming from the west side of the building and called for help from fire departments in Chehalis and Rochester, according to the news release.
Crews were able to get inside and hold the flames to two office rooms, according to Riverside Fire Authority Chief Jim Walkowski.
Several items of evidence were collected for analysis, the chief said, although he declined to share specifics.
It was not an accident, it definitely looks like a set fire, Walkowski said.
“Someone intended to cause significant damage to the building,” he said.
The fire investigation team has interviewed several people, but have no suspects.
Reliable Enterprises was founded in the 1970s to assist individuals with developmental disabilities.
The wood and metal building houses administrative offices on one side and the actual business where its clients work on the other.
They sell donated building and construction products, according to the chief. That side was unaffected and a representative told him it shouldn’t affect daily operations, Walkowski said.
The damaged offices were two of several like them inside the building.
Whether they have particular relevance is not yet known, the chief said.
“We have lots of interviews and lots of leads to work,” Walkowski said. “We don’t have any idea what a motivation might have been.”
Reliable is also involved in housing services, Head Start and “payee services” assisting clients with managing their money, among other programs, according to information from the organization.
No injuries were reported.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter