Smoke billowed over the Town of Friday Harbor and areas of Spring and First Street were blocked off to traffic, on the morning of April 7, as firefighters worked to extinguish a fire that originated in the Windermere building, according to Kim Kimple, spokeswoman for Orcas Fire and Rescue.
The incident was phoned in at 3:43 a.m. by a passing tow truck driver, Kimple said. By 8 a.m., flames appeared to die down in the upper stories of the buildings, only to reemerge. The fire was serious enough that some Orcas Fire, Lopez and Skagit personnel were requested to assist. Washington State Ferry Service also dispatched a ferry for the transport of emergency personnel and apparatus.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are currently investigating the source of the fire. “This does not necessarily mean the fire is suspicious, however. That will be up to investigators to determine,” she said, adding that it was her understanding that the agents were called due to the extent of the damage.
Fire officials have calculated an early estimate of 10-million-dollars in losses and will know more as they continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
There were no reported injuries and no reports of anyone located inside the buildings.
Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance concerning this incident. Anyone with information, including photographs and video, should contact ATF Special Agent Michael Gistinger at michael.gistinger@atf.gov or 813-267-6983.
History lost
Of the six structures involved, three were a total loss, Kimple said. Those three buildings include what is currently known as Herbs Tavern. The building was built in 1892. It originally housed Churchill’s General Store, then Bell-Middleton Grocery Store, said Sandy Strehlou, the Town of Friday Harbor’s Historic Preservation Coordinator said. According to Kevin Lufus, Executive Director of the San Juan Island Historical Society and Museum, it became the well-known tavern, Herbs, in 1943. From happy hours and karaoke nights, nearly every islander has a memory to share of the beloved watering hole.
The building currently known as the Windermere building was built even earlier, in 1880. At that time it was referred to as the Douglas House. It became several hotels, first the Bayview hotel, then the Tourist Annex, then San Juan Hotel. “It was lodging continuously until it became Windermere,” Strehlou said.
The structure where Crystal Seas Kayak Tours is located was built in 1910. As the first theater in town, islanders once attended silent films at the Star Theater and got a shave and a haircut when it was a barbershop.
“The impact to the historic district is irreplaceable,” Strehlou said. She is also creating an archive of the fire, and requests anyone with photos of the fire email them to her at sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.
Businesses impacted
Jennifer Rigg, owner of LOEA, a local graphic design business, stood on the sidewalk April 7 and watched her inventory burn. Having been partners with the owners of Crystal Seas Kayaking since the 90s, she had just moved her summer stock of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats to the Crystal Seas Spring Street office.
The loss for the business owners in the affected buildings is heartbreaking. Many, like Rigg, were gearing up for a busy summer season. According to real estate broker Gary Franklin, the Windermere realtors will continue their work outside the office, and Crystal Seas will continue their tours from another location as well. Other businesses like The Crows Nest and Herbs do not have that option.
To support the owners of businesses lost or damaged in the fire, the San Juan Economic Development Council and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce has set up a donation link.
A message from the EDC stated “While all of [the busineses] have insurance, there will be lots of expenses that aren’t covered.
The San Juan Economic Development Council and San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce have set up a donation page and are working to find additional emergency funding from local entities
To donate, visit https://www.paypal.com/donate/
According to a press release by the EDC, a grant application process will be set up once more is known about where the greatest need is and provide funding to those most affected by fire losses.
Kimple thanked multiple agencies who provided support during this incident, including San Juan County Dispatch, San Juan Island Fire, Orcas Island Fire, Lopez Island Fire, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, San Juan EMS, Skagit Fire District #14, Sky Valley Fire, South County Fire, Department of Emergency Management, Washington State Ferries, San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office, local utility companies, the Town of Friday Harbor Public Works, M.E.M. Excavation, and the Region 3 Arson Taskforce which provides fire investigation resources from Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties.
“It really took the teamwork of our local region to ensure this incident was mitigated safely and effectively,” Kimple said.
