Fire crews were to remain overnight at a salvage yard on West Hill where a tire fire Wednesday evening sent heavy black smoke skyward, visible for miles.
The fire was reported at about 5:40 p.m. at the business in the 13300 block of Beacon Coal Mine Road. Crews were able to protect gas tanks nearby from the heat and flames.
A cause and damage estimates weren’t available Wednesday night. A fire at the same property in 2005 was ruled arson, said Dave Nelson, a spokesman for King County Fire District 20.
King County Sheriffs Office Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the fire; the property is in unincorporated King County.
Firefighters from Skyway, Renton, Tukwila and the Boeing Fire Department applied a firefighting agent with water to suppress the fire; a front loader was used to separate about 150 tires.
The Washington state Department of Ecology determined at the scene that water wasn’t contaminated. The property owner told investigators the property has a retention pond. The ecology department also monitored air quality, which showed no more pollution in the air late last evening, according to Nelson.
Thirty fire personnel responded, including Fire Explorers.
