UPDATE: Bellingham Fire Department continues search for missing 39-year-old Nathaniel V. Breaux. Authorities associated Breaux’s disappearance with the fire. Portions of 11th Street remained closed to traffic as the investigation continues.

 

Authorities say one person is still unaccounted for following an overnight fire that destroyed the historic Fairhaven Terminal Building in Fairhaven Village. No injuries or other missing persons have been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. According to Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Hewett, one employee from one of the impacted businesses was reported missing.

Hewett explained that the fire was initially reported before midnight on December 16. It was contained by 3:30 a.m. on December 17. The first responding fire personnel attempted to enter the building to search for occupants, but they were forced to withdraw when the second floor started to sag.

The fire caused extensive damage to the historic Harris Avenue structure. It destroyed the Harris Avenue Café, Old Independent Coffeehouse, and multiple second-floor office spaces. Many neighboring businesses are open today, but the Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse will remain closed until further notice.