Fire at Haggen store in Auburn; building sustains 'significant smoke, water damage'

Fire damages Haggen grocery store in Auburn

AUBURN, Wash. -- The Haggen store in the Lakeland Hills area of Auburn was filled with employees and customers when fire broke out just before 6 p.m. Thursday.

The fire broke out near the deli area of the store at 1406 Lake Tapps Parkway SE .

Right now it’s not clear what exactly sparked the fire, but investigators say the whole kitchen area had damage in the deep fat frying area.

Firefighters say they were able to contain the flames, but there was "significant smoke and water damage."

“We knocked it down pretty quick, it didn’t extend beyond the kitchen or the duct system,” says Valley Regional Fire Battalion Chief Rudy Peden.

Shoppers and employee had to evacuate from the store, but no one was hurt.

“Everyone had gotten out by the time we got here, they were out front,” says Peden.

Martin Morales works at another business in the shopping center on Lake Tapps Parkway. He says he could hear the fire engines rushing to the scene.

“I was worried because I’ve never seen something like this in this shopping center.”

Morales is a regular customer at the store and he says it’s usually pretty busy.

The future of the Lakeland Hills store is uncertain. Haggen is going through bankruptcy proceedings, and it’s one of the stores set to be auctioned next month.