Shoppers at a Safeway grocery store in Tacoma had to evacuate Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out behind the building. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the flames did not spread inside the store.
What Happened at the Tacoma Safeway?
According to the Tacoma Fire Department, the incident took place at around 1:35 p.m. in the 700 block of South 56th Street. Firefighters quickly responded to reports of a fire behind the store.
The fire was located outside the building, and Tacoma Fire spokesperson Chelsea Shepherd said it was caused by wooden pallets that had caught fire. The flames reached the back exterior wall of the store, but thanks to quick action, the fire was contained and did not enter the main building.
Evacuation and Fire Response
As a safety measure, everyone inside the store was evacuated while firefighters worked to control the blaze. Crews stayed at the scene to check for hot spots — areas where the fire could potentially reignite.
No Injuries Reported
The good news is that no one was hurt during the incident. All customers and staff were safely evacuated, and the situation was brought under control without further damage.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fire officials have not yet determined what sparked the blaze involving the wooden pallets behind the store.
