Small town of Malden left in ruins
In downtown Malden, Washington, dozens of buildings still smolder, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. The town, hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroyed many structures, once thrived when it was on the Milwaukee Road rail line until the railroad went out of business in the late 1970s.
Section:Gallery
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In downtown Malden, Washington, the former post office at lower left and another historic building at lower right still smolder Tuesday, one day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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Shannon, left, and Shawn Thornton comb through the rubble of their burned garage Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Shawn and Shannon weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through.
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Shannon Thornton, left, salvages an old coffee pot as she and Shawn Thornton, right, comb through the rubble of their burned garage Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Shawn and Shannon weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through, destroying their home, garage and multiple vehicles. The two have been married 22 years.
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Bob Law, who has lived in Malden, Washington since 1956, stands in front of the former library and city hall building Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Law remembers when the town was many times larger than it has been recently and serves as a city council member and ran the food bank in the city hall building.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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Bob Law, 70, who has lived in Malden, Washington since 1956, stands in front of the former library and city hall building Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Law remembers when the town was many times larger than it has been recently and serves as a city council member and ran the food bank in the city hall building.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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In downtown Malden, Washington, doznes of buildings still smolder Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. The town, hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroyed many structures, once thrived when it was on the Milwaukee Road rail line until the railroad went out of business in the late 1970s.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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In downtown Malden, Washington, dozens of buildings still smolder Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. The town, hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroyed many structures, once thrived when it was on the Milwaukee Road rail line until the railroad went out of business in the late 1970s.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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A sign reading “Malden Town Hall” lies in the ashes of the fformer library and city hall building Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Bob Law, 70, who has lived in Malden, Washington since 1956, stands surveys the wreckage of the former library and city hall building Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Law remembers when the town was many times larger than it has been recently and serves as a city council member and ran the food bank in the city hall building.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Shawn Thornton hugs his wife, Shannon Thornton, next to the rubble of their burned home Tuesday in Malden, Wash., the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia in Whitman County. Shawn and Shannon weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Shawn Thornton, right, and son Chris Thornton look over the rubble of their burned home and garage, including his work truck, left, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Shawn and Shannon weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through, destroying their home, garage and multiple vehicles.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Shawn Thornton looks down on a puddle of aluminum next to the rubble of their burned home and garage Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. The aluminum may have been a 12-foot aluminum fishing boat or a stack of aluminum wheels, they’re not sure. Shawn and wife Shannon weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through, destroying their home, garage and multiple vehicles.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Shannon Thornton looks into the basement of her burned home Tuesday in Malden, Wash., the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Shannon and her husband Shawn, married 22 years, weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through, destroying their home, garage and multiple vehicles.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Shannon Thornton stands by the foundation of her burned home Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Malden, Washington the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. On the ground is a large puddle of molten aluminum which was probably her husband’s 12-foot fishing boat that was parked outside. Shannon and her husband Shawn weren’t home at the time, but their son Cody was and managed to get their dog and a few belongings before leaving just minutes before the flames swept through, destroying their home, garage and multiple vehicles. The Thorntons have been married 22 years.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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In downtown Malden, Washington, the former post office is a still smoldering skeleton Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. The town, hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroy many structures, once thrived when it was on the Milwaukee Road rail line until the railroad went out of business in the late 1970s.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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In downtown Malden, Washington, wreckage of the fire station still smolders Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. The town was hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroyed many structures.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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In downtown Malden, Washington, what’s left of an old gas station still smolders Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Many cars and boats around the building were burned. The town was hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroyed many structures.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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In downtown Malden, Washington, a boat parked near an old gas station was burned down to the trailer Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. Many cars and boats around the building were burned. The town was hit by a wind-driven wildfire Monday that destroyed many structures.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Smoldering remains of one of the many homes burned on Broadway Avenue are seen Sept. 8, the day after a fast-moving wildfire.
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In downtown Malden, Washington, one of many homes burned on Broadway Avenue on the east side of town can be seen Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 the day after a fast-moving wildfire swept through the tiny town west of Rosalia. A strong wind from the north drove the flames.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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