(January 8 photo by C. Simmons)
Eight days ago, we told you about the huge fire that gutted Pacific Sheet Metal and adjoining music facility The Dutchman on the south side of the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge, still smoldering when many West Seattleites passed it hours later on the way to work. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen now says investigators have finished their work, and determined that the fire started in the engine compartment of a truck in the PSM building. Damage total: $4.2 million. A relief fund for the music studio’s owner continues to accept online donations; haven’t found a link to any such fund for PSM – let us know if you know of one (editor@westseattleblog.com). FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Got a note from Nancy, who doesn’t know of relief efforts but does know that Pacific Sheet Metal’s owners are a longtime West Seattle family – founder William Zaknich lives on Alki; son Nick Zaknich, who runs the company now, lives in Shorewood.