PORT ANGELES — There is no indication that the New Peking and A&N Upholstery fires are related, despite their proximity in time and place, said Chief Jon Bugher of the Clallam County Fire District 2 on Wednesday.
Causes of the spectacular early morning fires have not been determined, he said, adding that the joint investigation by the fire district and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department continues.
“We’re in the process of ruling out causes,” Bugher said.
As each possible cause is ruled out, investigators can get closer to determining what happened, he said.
Fireworks are suspected in both blazes.
The two fires took place almost exactly 24 hours apart, within one block of each other, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and North Gales Street.
The fire at the upholstery shop at 124 N. Gales St., began at about 3:15 a.m. Monday, and the blaze at New Peking at 2416 Highway 101 started at about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Preliminary reports indicated that the upholstery shop fire began in the downstairs portion of the shop, while the New Peking fire began on the roof of the building, over the kitchens.
The fire department estimated damage to A&N Upholstery to be $150,000, and at least $450,000 in damage was done to the New Peking.
Mike Steim, owner of the upholstery shop, said his building was not insured.
Nevertheless, he plans to be back in business within a few days.
“I just got back from buying a new sewing machine,” he said Wednesday.
Steim, who has been in the business for 28 years, will work from another building on the property, and will eventually rebuild the original shop, he said.
The upholstery shop fire forced Ernest Brown Jr., who was sleeping in the loft, to climb onto a neighboring roof.
By the time the smell of smoke awakened him at about 3:40 a.m., his only way out was through an opening onto the roof, said Capt. Dan Huff of Clallam County Fire District No. 2.
From there, he climbed onto an adjoining roof. Firefighters helped him down and he was taken to Olympic Medical Center as a precaution and was discharged.
The fire burned too hot to leave evidence of identify exactly where or how the fire started, but fireworks are suspected to be involved, Steim said investigators told him.
Kevin Fong, a member of the family that owns New Peking, said that family members are waiting to hear from their insurance company before deciding if they will rebuild the restaurant, bar and pool hall.
The family has received words of encouragement from customers and former customers, Fong said.
“We appreciate the support from everyone,” he said.
“It is very encouraging and helpful.”
The fire burned the landmark building to the ground, destroying dragon murals painted by Port Townsend artist James Mayo in 2005, who said he would be willing to discuss replacing the murals if the Fong family decides to rebuild.
The fire caused all lanes on the highway to be blocked until about 8:40 a.m., snarling the morning commute between Port Angeles and Sequim.
A member of the Fong family, who was in the building when the fire started, told firefighters that the blaze began outside and high in the building, Huff said.
No one was hurt in the blaze.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.