Tacoma fire fighters responded to a fire on the roof and upper floor area of the former Columbia-Heidelberg brewery complex overnight. According to department spokesperson Joe Meinecke, nine companies — five engines, two ladders, two medic companies, and command staff — responded to the incident at 21st and C Street at 11:48 p.m. on Weds., July 6. The fire was upgraded to a second alarm at 12:22 a.m. and required three additional engines and two ladders to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent buildings.

“Due to the size of the structure, the response was divided into two tactical operation zones and two ladder company aerial master streams were deployed to attack the fire from above,” said Meinecke. “Using a well-coordinated defensive strategy, the fire was extinguished and contained to the building of origin.”

Fire crews also made considerable salvage efforts to help preserve the inventory of the Pierce County Toys for Tots program being stored in the warehouse building exposed to the fire. There were no injuries to report and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The old brewery is vacant and currently being demolished.

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Heidelberg Brewery demolition under way (06/27/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1998253&more=0

Columbia Heidelberg Brewery to be razed, but branding remains classic forever (01/18/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1909621&more=0

Demolition ahead for Tacoma’s Heidelberg Brewery (01/13/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1907292&more=0

Last call for Columbia Heidelberg Brewery buildings? (01/07/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1904418&more=0