BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The City of Bellingham issued the following update yesterday, December 18th, with more details regarding Sunday’s fire in Fairhaven and the search for a missing person associated with a business in the building.
One person remains unaccounted for today (Monday, December 18, 2023) after a weekend fire destroyed the historic Fairhaven Terminal Building in Bellingham’s Fairhaven Village. No injuries or other missing persons have been reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Hewett said one employee from one of the affected businesses has been reported missing. Bellingham Police have confirmed Nathaniel V. Breaux, 39, is listed as a missing person in connection with the fire. Anyone with information about Breaux’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Police non-emergency number, (360) 676-6911.
Hewett said on Monday, crews from the Bellingham Fire Department were able to make entry into the building, located at 1101 Harris Avenue, after consulting with structural engineers and the City’s Building Services staff. Investigators were able to enter the building and conduct a limited search of portions of the first floor. This search did not find any victims. Due to continued instability of the building, the crews were not able to move any large debris items, leaving several areas that could not be searched.
Hewett said that, working cooperatively with the building’s owner and insurance company, there are plans being made to bring in equipment that can remove some of the exterior walls and allow for a more thorough search of the interior.
Bellingham Fire and Police will continue to be present at the scene through the night tonight, he said, and the search will continue tomorrow. Additional updates will be provided on Tuesday, December 19, or when there are significant developments. City of Bellingham (December 18, 2023)
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