Shoreline Grocery Store Fire Caused by Unattended Candle

UPDATE: Shoreline Fire

A candle left unattended in a makeshift camp site was the cause of the fire in a grocery store basement that broke out last night around 11:00 p.m.

A King County Deputy was on patrol along Aurora Avenue North when he saw smoke coming from the lower level of the Baro Grocery, near 170th and Aurora Avenue North.

Shoreline Firefighters had the blaze extinguished within minutes, with the assistance of crews from Kenmore’s Northshore Fire Department.

During their initial search of the building, fire crews discovered a man and a woman asleep in the basement – unaware of the fire. They were awakened and rescued just minutes before they would have been overcome by smoke.

Quick and efficient action by firefighters contained the damage to the basement area, saving most of the ground level grocery store above.

Fire crews transported the couple to local hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation. They are believed to be transients who are frequently in the area.