Wenatchee, Washington – Fire Causes Closure of Transfer Station at South Wenatchee Avenue

Wenatchee, Washington (August 6, 2019) – A fire broke out in the Waste Management Transfer Station on South Wenatchee Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, however the facility will be closed until further notice as repairs are underway.

Firefighters from the Chelan County Fire District 1 received a call around 5:15 p.m.. By the time crews arrived  a fire was found burning in the southeast portion of the structure. The fire was declared out by 6:45 p.m.. The cause is believed to be a failure in the hydraulic pump, which caused fluid and debris to be spread throughout the building.

About Fire

It is fortunate that no one was injured in this particular case, and the firefighters are to be commended for their response. Like any other structure, commercial buildings must be checked for fire safety. Most if not all the steps in fire safety involve securing the area of one’s business or residence. It is also important to make sure that possible combustible materials are discarded properly or at the very least kept away from buildings. They also urge owners of buildings to review fire safety and make sure that an escape plan is formulated in case of fire.

Much like fire safety in other types of buildings, there are different factors which can add or detract the risk of a fire breaking out. The structure and materials that a building is made out of should be assessed for fire safety before construction. It is also advised that all buildings should be equipped with proper fire suppression tools and detection devices such as fire alarms and smoke alarms. Taking these simple steps should help prevent or lessen the risk of fire. Like with all accidents, the effects of fire are dreadful, including property damage and loss as well as injuries or even fatalities. Fire safety is then not only consideration for one’s self, but also consideration for others.

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