The Renton Reporter has won a national award for its coverage of the major fire last June that destroyed an historic building on Wells Avenue.

Reporter Emily Garland’s story was about efforts by downtown businesses to recover from the fire. The story won first place for best breaking news story in the Renton Reporter’s circulation category.

The award was presented by the Suburban Newspapers Association. Annually, the contest by association of North American newspapers draws thousands of entries.

The Renton Reporter is a division of Sound Publishing, whose newspapers won 16 awards.