In October 2020, Renton firefighters used flashlights as they walked through the vacant building — formerly a Denny’s establishment.
Curtains divided the interior into various areas with mattresses, blankets, furniture.
Renton police cleared the building of approximately a half-dozen homeless individuals prior to the entrance of the firefighters.
Reportedly, the individuals living in the building replaced the locks to the entrances for access, said Anjela Barton, fire marshal at the Renton Regional Fire Authority.
Firefighters searched for cooking appliances and flammable liquids and found none. Crews found extensive needles and drug paraphernalia throughout the interior and exterior of the building.
The environment presented potential firefighter safety concerns, Barton said.