PORT ANGELES – A small explosion and fire at Sunrise Meats, 1325 E. First St., on Thursday caused about $1,000 damage, but the building is still usable, said Capt. Duke Moroz of the Port Angeles Fire Department.
“They should absolutely be able to use it tomorrow,” he said after the fire, which began at about 7:30 p.m.
The explosion was probably caused by a small propane heater used in smoking meat, Moroz said.
An exposed plastic water pipe appeared to be burned through – and leaking. That prevented the fire from spreading, he said.
“That really kept it under control until we got there,” Moroz said.
“If you’re going to have a fire, there wasn’t much of a better place than right by a water pipe.”
The explosion was heard by a few area residents and customers in nearby shops and was reported by several people.
One of those was Rebecca Bean, who was watching a video game being played at a nearby store when she heard the noise.
“We heard a pop that sounded like it was coming from the meat shop and then we called 9-1-1,” Bean said.
“It sounded like dried wood and some bottles popping.”
The business was closed for the day and no one was inside.
“When we came up, we saw smoke coming from the chimney, and a small amount of smoke in the windows in the front of the building,” Moroz said.
“Just from that area, it looks like about $1,000 in damage,” he said.