Fire Destroys Landmark Building In Aberdeen

A downtown building that once housed the landmark Smoke Shop Cafe was destroyed by a spectacular fire Wednesday afternoon.

There were no injuries in the blaze, which was reported about 4:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire was being investigated. However, building owner Shawn Campbell said work crews had been putting a torch-down roof on the former cafe, which closed earlier this year and was being remodeled into commercial space and apartments.

“I’m guessing an ember caught,” he said. “I can only assume that’s what it was.”

The fire spread to the adjoining Finch building, another historic landmark that was an office building before it was vacated in 1977 and fell into disrepair.

he fire also knocked out electricity to many surrounding businesses and snarled traffic throughout town for more than two hours.