Fire strikes apartment work site

A fire Saturday morning caused $100,000 damage to an apartment building under construction about three blocks from the WSU campus in Pullman, fire officials said.

Firefighters arrived at 10:18 a.m. at the Emerald Downs complex off Valley Road to find the three-story structure fully involved, according to Glenn Johnson, public information officer with the Pullman Fire Department. A worker on site spotted smoke and flames coming from the front entry of Building F and called 911.

The apartment building is part of a complex that was formerly Hilltop Stables. Managers of the complex said the apartment building that was damaged was completely rented for the start of the fall semester in August, Johnson said in a press release.

Insurance adjusters and a structural engineer are expected to arrive Monday to determine how much of the apartment building can be salvaged.

Also on Monday, fire prevention officer Rich Dragoo said he would be meeting with some of the building contractors to try and pinpoint a cause, the press release said.