C&B Auto Body blaze ruled arson

EPHRATA - The Ephrata police are investigating the fire damaging C&B Auto Body Saturday night.

Ephrata Fire Department ruled the cause to be arson, according to fire department spokesperson Kelley Wolther.

The business on Second Avenue Northeast sustained smoke and water damaged in addition to structural damage from the fire, according to Wolther. Three vehicles inside the building also received damage from the fire.

An Ephrata police officer spotted the fire while on patrol and summoned firefighters. Members of the Ephrata Fire Department, along with Grant County Fire Districts 7 and 13 responded at 11:05 p.m.

Firefighters arrived to find flames emanating from the wood structure. Wolther stated the fire traveled through the attic space and eventually the roof.

The fire was contained within 45 minutes by three fire engines, a ladder truck and command unit. Thirty firefighters worked to extinguish the fire with operations ending at roughly 1 a.m.

Due to the business being an auto body shop, fire commanders were concerned about paint and related chemicals stored in the building, according to Wolther. The state Department of Ecology was notified and there did not appear to be any obvious release of chemicals or contamination of the surrounding environment.

The Columbia Basin Herald was unable to contact business owner Bob Dimmitt of Ephrata.