COLFAX, Wash. — Main Street in downtown Colfax will remain closed on Wednesday following a large fire, as crews are expressing concerns about building collapse.
The Colfax Fire Department was dispatched to the fire at Fonk's Coffeehouse on Main Street at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Crews entered through the rear of the building and were met with large flames.
Out of concern for firefighters' safety, the crew was pulled from the interior of the building and focused on a defensive attack.
The blaze was upgraded to a three-alarm fire as of 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, with multiple agencies in the region responding. This included 80-plus volunteers from various agencies.
Randy Miller with Incident Command said the fire was contained to Fonk’s, but there was some smoke and heat damage to neighboring apartments on Main Street and Bruning Funeral Home.
Two residents from neighboring apartments and a firefighter were taken to the hospital. All three patients have since been discharged, Miller said.
Main Street, which was closed by authorities so firefighters could battle the fire, will remain closed through at least part of Wednesday until the building can be inspected.
Crews said the concern for building collapse arises from the roof collapse and total loss of the building.
A detour is in place on Mill Street from Canyon Street to Harrison Street.
The Pullman Fire Investigator was called in to investigate the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.
Colfax Fire Department thanked community members who dropped off water and snacks for crews during the incident.