MATTAWA — A commercial building fire destroyed a wine production facility near Mattawa on Tuesday afternoon, causing what officials described as tens of millions of dollars in damage but resulting in no injuries and no risk to the public.
The fire was reported in the 22000 block of State Route 243 South at the Port of Mattawa industrial park, near Road 22.1 Southwest and Road 2.7 Southwest. The building housed Central Washington Wine Production Group and the Upwest Wine Tasting Room.
Fire officials said the facility contained about 4.5 million gallons of wine, along with stainless steel tanks, production machinery and other equipment. The building and its contents were considered a total loss.
Early information indicated the fire may have started near an electrical panel at one end of the building. Flames were reportedly seen coming from the area of the panel sometime in the afternoon. The exact cause remained under investigation.
The structure was described as an L-shaped commercial building, with one portion running north and south. Fire crews responded from multiple agencies and worked to contain the blaze at the large industrial facility.
No injuries were reported, and officials said there was no risk to the public.
The fire came after a separate RV fire earlier Tuesday in Desert Aire. That fire was reported around 10 a.m. between a house and garage. The RV was a total loss, and the nearby house sustained some burn damage, but firefighters were able to save the home with only minor damage.
Agencies assisting with the Mattawa commercial fire included Grant County Fire District 3, Grant County Fire District 8, Royal Slope Fire Rescue EMS, the Hanford Fire Department, Grant PUD, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management and public information staff, and the Grant County Fire Marshal’s Office.
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Dining and Cooking