Factoria Safeway Suffers Smoke Damage

BELLEVUE

A fire that started in the toilet-paper section of the Factoria Safeway caused mostly smoke damage to the store, say fire officials.

Bellevue firefighters were called to the blaze just after 7 a.m. today, after it was discovered by an employee. While the store was open at the time, no one was injured, said Lt. Bob Hays, Bellevue fire department spokesman.

Damage estimates were not available, but the health inspector has ordered that most of the produce and other non-packaged products be discarded, said Janet Anderberg, senior environmental health specialist with King County Health Department.

She said most of the inventory was not contaminated because the store's sprinklers didn't come on during the fire and no chemicals were used to put out the fire.

The store was expected to reopen later today, said store manager Mike Gepner. The cause is under investigation.