Aberdeen Armory building erupts in flames

ABERDEEN, Wash. -- The Aberdeen Armory building erupted in flames Saturday morning, sending smoke high into the air.

Dave Golding, battalion chief, Aberdeen Fire Department, said crews responded to the 100 block of East 3rd Street just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Golding said one firefighter had a minor injury and was treated at the scene. No one else was injured.

Crews from Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Montesano and various areas of Thurston County responded to the blaze.



Q13 News viewers sent pictures and video of the blaze, showing flames and smoke billowing.

Grays Harbor PUD said power was cut to 10 blocks of 3rd Street, and the outage was expected to last as long as the fire department requests. A few homes near the scene were also evacuated as a precaution.

The Aberdeen Armory holds the Aberdeen Museum of History and the Aberdeen Community Center.

“A part of me is going up in smoke,” said David Morris, the curator at the History Museum inside the armory.

He says the museum got international attention because of Kurt Cobain.

The Nirvana Frontman was from Aberdeen and some of the band’s memorabilia was showcased at the museum, along with other paintings, and iconic items from the early 1900s.

“A 1902 Steam pumper, a 1926 firetruck, so much. We lost a lot of history today,” said Morris.

“It’s a sad day for the harbor,” said Aberdeen resident David Price.

The sadness is felt across the small town.

“We’re a family, this is like a home for us, it’s tough. Really tough,” said Craig Dublanko, CEO of the Coastal Community Action Program which provided social services to the community.

“We’re going battle through this, we’re going be tough,” said Dublanko. Who added his team is working through the weekend to make sure services are still available to those who depend on it.

The armory was built in 1922.