Body recovered from historic Bellingham building 10 days after massive fire

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A body has been recovered from the Fairhaven Terminal Building in Bellingham that went up in flames earlier this month. An employee was reported missing at the time of the fire-- but the medical examiner's office will officially determine if it is the same individual. 

The fire was reported before midnight on Dec. 16 and it was contained by 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 17.

When crews arrived at the scene, they attempted to enter the building to search for people inside, but were forced to withdraw as they feared the second floor would collapse. 

Fire officials said the fire caused extensive damage to the historic Harris Avenue structure, destroying the Harris Avenue Café, the former Tony’s Coffee now called Old Independent Coffeehouse, and multiple second floor office spaces.

Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Hewett said a 39-year-old employee from one of the affected businesses was the person who was reported missing. 

A historic building in Fairhaven was destroyed after an overnight fire.  (City of Bellingham)

"This is a devastating tragedy right in the heart of Fairhaven," Hewett said. "Our number one priority now is getting the building stabilized so we can conduct a thorough search. Until it is safe for our team to enter further into the structure, we cannot conduct a search for the missing individual or determine the cause of the fire."

According to the city of Bellingham, the Fairhaven Terminal Building was the oldest surviving, continuously occupied commercial building in Fairhaven. It was built in 1888. 

A body was recovered on Dec. 26. While investigators were able to make a preliminary identification, Hewett said, confirmation will need to occur by the Medical Examiner’s Office before the identity will be released.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

A GoFundMe has been set up for the missing man's 2-year-old daughter.