A fire tore through a 10,000-square-foot construction shop here Saturday morning.
Friberg Construction’s shop burst into flames around 7:15 a.m., fire authorities say.
The building was filled with flammable liquids and thousands of dollars in vehicles and equipment.
Fire officials say the building carried a heavy fire load, including diesel, gas and kerosene.
The business owner, John Friberg, was having breakfast with Chief Gary Russell with Whatcom County Fire District 7 when the call came in, the Bellingham Herald reports.
The 76-year-old says he started the business 40 years ago and does construction work across Washington and Alaska.