KENT, Wash. — Officials say fireworks sparked the flames that destroyed a family business in Kent.
The fire in the 23800 block of 104th Avenue Southeast started around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday when fireworks were launched just outside the building.
Puget Sound Fire officials said a mortar shell was found in the parking lot and surveillance video shows fireworks going off.
The family who owns KK Market said they bought the business in the past year, but it has been operating in Kent for more than two decades.
“It’s got to be heartbreaking for the family. It’s a business. It’s their livelihood and it looks like at this point in time, it’s a total loss,” said Puget Sound Fire spokesman Pat Pawlak.
No one was hurt.
Firewalls at neighboring businesses in the strip mall prevented the flames from spreading.