Astoria fire kills one, destroys five businesses

ASTORIA, Ore. - One person was confirmed killed and five business were destroyed or suffered heavy damage in a 3-alarm fire Thursday night in Astoria.

All available fire crews were called at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday to battle the blaze at 951 Commercial Street in downtown Astoria. Additional crews from around the region also assisted in fighting the large blaze.

Investigators said one person was killed in the fire. The identity of the person was not released, but fire officials said it may have been the owner of a long-closed floral shop that was located in the building.

The person may have been living in the space, according to investigators.

The building the fire broke out in was one of the older buildings in the city, according to Lenard Hansen, Astoria Fire chief. He said it was built in the 1920s, shortly after another large fire in the downtown area that destroyed many buildings.

Astoria is one of the oldest cities in the West Coast and was a bustling fisheries and seafood products port for generations.

The five businesses destroyed in the fire include a Bank of America branch, two restaurants, Raven's Studio, and a floral shop that had been closed for about a year.

Firefighters think the fire may have started in the floral shop. Firefighting efforts continued through the night.