Wiring Cause Of Strip-Mall Fire In Fed. Way

FEDERAL WAY

A stubborn fire that gutted businesses in a Federal Way strip mall Friday was caused by an electrical short in wiring between the ceiling and the roof of a furniture store, investigators concluded yesterday.

The fire started at Federal Way Furniture at South 316th Street and Pacific Highway South, said Joyce Harms, Federal Way Fire Department spokeswoman. It spread rapidly through a common false ceiling to a hair salon and laundromat.

A damage estimate was not available yesterday, but Harms said inventory loss was extensive.