BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The cause of the Fairhaven Terminal Building fire that left one dead in December remains undetermined after a final investigation report by the Bellingham Fire Department.
Fire investigators concluded that the fire started in the back portion of the Harris Avenue Cafe between the server’s area and the kitchen appliance line. Its exact point of origin and cause could not be determined due to extensive damage from the fire. The report notes that there was no automatic sprinkler system or smoke detectors inside the building.
39-year-old Nathaniel Breaux, who was the owner of the cafe and the Old Independent Coffeehouse, died in the fire after staying late to clean an earlier party for recent WWU grads. Investigators could not determine what part of the building he was in during the Dec. 16 fire.
The report states that the case is effectively closed.
A new Go Fund Me campaign was recently launched to create a memorial honoring Nate on Galbraith Mountain. It’s less than $7,000 away from reaching its goal of $35,000 as of Monday afternoon.
