Firefighters from multiple districts were battling a blaze in downtown Winlock Tuesday night.
Video from the scene shows a structure on Southeast Front Street fully engulfed in flames. The building houses the Haunted Hostel, B&B and Hotel.
Residents told The Chronicle about 30 people were evacuated when the fire began at about 7:38 p.m. Those residents reported that everyone escaped the building before it became engulfed in flames, though there were still cats inside.
Those evacuated from the structure were told Red Cross was on the way as of about 9:30 p.m. Twin Transit additionally dispatched two busses to the scene to assist residents and help keep them warm.
At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown. It is also unknown if there were any injuries.
Authorities are asking that people stay away from the area. Access to the area is being restricted.
Firefighters from Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine and Toledo were among the responders.
According to a Facebook post from the Winlock Historical Museum made earlier this year, the Winlock Haunted Hostel/Hotel was previously “Warne’s Drug Store,” and had a soda fountain inside the corner door. Later, there was a beauty shop in the back of the building. There was also a computer repair shop then an antique shop. In other posts about the building, signs had previously been seen in the windows advertising monthly leases. The business has a website that can be found at https://winlock-haunted-hostel-bb-and-hotel.business.site/.
This story will be updated.
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