Cleanup continues at Harrington Square Apartments, heavily damaged in June 30 fire
By DEAN RADFORD
Renton Reporter Editor
July 23, 2009 · Updated 4:03 PM
Work is continuing on the cleanup of the Harrington Square Apartments, which suffered millions of dollars in damage in a five-alarm fire on June 30.
There are two main buildings in the luxury apartment complex under construction in the Highlands, on Harrington Avenue. Extensively damaged was one building that was about 40 percent complete.
The second building, which is completed, suffered smoke damage, according to Joe Kaiser, general manager of the builder, DRK Development Inc.
Total damage is estimated at about $11 million. City of Renton fire investigators determined that the fire was started by a roofer's torch.
Initially, cleanup crews took down what remained of the building still under construction. The second building is shrouded in black plastic to protect it.
"We plan to rebuild," Kaiser said. When construction will resume is not known.
Crews are removing the final debris from atop the first floor of the building. The first floor is built with concrete and will undergo structural testing to determine where there is any damage.
Harrington Avenue has been reduced to one lane in front of the building to accommodate the cleanup.
Puget Sound Energy also is laying a new six-inch gas main along the street. That work was already planned and is not the result of the fire.
Contact Renton Reporter Editor Dean Radford at editor@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5050.Comment on this story.
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