Gig Harbor Fire Rips Through Businesses

GIG HARBOR - The Olympic Village shopping center near Gig Harbor was evacuated today when fire engulfed a building housing several businesses.

Thirty members of the Gig Harbor Fire Department battled the blaze, which began just after noon, and were attempting to keep it from spreading to a larger adjacent building housing Stock Market Foods.

A ladder unit from the Tacoma Fire Department was dispatched to the scene after Gig Harbor's ladder unit broke down.

Fire officials said the fire started in a roaster in the Austin Chase Coffee Shop. Several neighboring businesses were severely damaged and firefighters reported that a portion of the structure's roof had collapsed. A fire department spokesman said there were no known injuries.

Traffic in the area, including vehicles on SR 16 adjacent to the shopping center, was brought to a standstill.