Mill Fire in Downtown Kent Remains Under Investigation

The cause of a fire that burned for two days last week at the historic Star of the West mill complex remains undetermined. 

The fire broke out at about 8:45 a.m. Friday and crews remained on the scene throughout the weekend. 

Firefighters battle the blaze at the Start of the West mill complex on Dec. 2, 2022.

The Kent Fire Department said the investigation was continuing with investigators from the state fire marshal’s office on the scene. 

The call from the city of Kent to conserve water while the blaze was in progress was rescinded Saturday, according to the Kent service director’s office. 

Firefighters battle the blaze at the Start of the West mill complex on Dec. 2, 2022.

North Water Street, however, remained closed to traffic in front of the mill complex. City officials were working to determine the structural integrity of the buildings, according to information from the service director’s office. 

Due to the fire, the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce postponed its Festival of Lights, which was supposed to take place on Dec. 3. The event is now set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. More details on the festival may be found here

The most recent local news coverage of the fire may be found here

 

 

POSTED: Monday, December 5, 2022 04:35 PM
UPDATED: Friday, April 19, 2024 04:31 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Lisa Abraham