An investigation of the Aug. 24 fire at the Top of Hill Quality Produce, a family-owned grocery store in Renton, identified the fire as having been intentionally set.
Surveillance video from a business in the area captured footage of an unknown individual setting the building on fire, said Hugo Sotelo, deputy fire marshal for the Renton Regional Fire Authority.
The Renton Police Department initiated a police investigation into the incident after Renton Regional Fire Authority investigators determined the fire was intentionally set at the exterior of the building.
“Investigation of the incident is still not officially complete,” Sotelo said.
The Renton Police Department assigned a detective to manage the department’s involvement in the case.
“We are very early in this investigation,” said Meeghan Black, a spokesperson for the Renton Police Department. “The video the fire investigator referenced hasn’t even been procured yet. We … will update the investigation when we have new information.”
Valley Communications received reports of sounds of an explosion in the area at 2:51 a.m. Aug. 24, with crews arriving at 2:54 a.m., said Ashlinn Phipps, public information officer for the Renton Regional Fire Authority.
Multiple agencies responded to the fire including the Renton Regional Fire Authority, King County Fire District 20, the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, the Bellevue Fire Department, Eastside Fire and Rescue and King County Medic One.
Initial fire crews simultaneously worked to extinguish the flames and protect adjacent buildings from exposure, Phipps said. Firefighters initially entered the building, retreating after concerns emerged regarding the stability of the roof and the size of the fire.
Approximately 30 minutes after crews arrived, the roof of the store collapsed into the center of the building, Phipps said.
Crews shifted to a defensive approach, attacking the exterior of the building, with the fire brought under control and fully extinguished within 50 minutes.
The final units cleared from the scene at approximately 10:30 a.m., Phipps said.
Community response
Community members and local businesses have rallied to support, volunteer, and initiate fundraising efforts for Top of the Hill Quality Produce following the fire.
A multi-year winner of the Best of Renton’s Best Grocer category, Top of the Hill Quality Produce serves as “a favorite of Renton residents,” according to a GoFundMe page that was started for the store.
The GoFundMe aims to raise $100,000 for reconstruction efforts, with an additional donation page set up at the website of Top of the Hill Quality Produce.
Community members have additionally volunteered to aid in cleanup efforts of the site.
C. Davis Texas BBQ, a Seattle barbecue restaurant, held a fundraiser for the store from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 4 in the parking lot of Fairwood Square at 17620 140th Avenue Southeast, Renton.
“We will have amazing BBQ, food, sweets, gelato, and farm-fresh bouquets,” stated an announcement for the event. “Proceeds from this fundraiser by all the participating businesses will be donated to the owners to help them rebuild during these challenging times.”
The Top of the Hill Quality Produce thanked family, friends, the community, the store’s landlords Linda and Scott Baker, insurance agent Josh Graves, and first responders in a Aug. 26 blog post.
“We are doing as best as we can at this time,” owner Jackie Maples stated in an email to the Renton Reporter.
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