Accidental fire forces business to vacate

A fire damaged the wall and roof of a small Spokane Valley company Tuesday morning.

Polychem, which has warehouse and laboratory space in an industrial area near East Broadway Avenue and Fancher Way, will have to move its operation until repairs can be made, said owner Ron Grossman.

The fire was accidental and likely started when an oven used by the business caught the things next to it on fire, said Paul Chase, fire marshal with the Spokane Valley Fire Department who investigated the blaze. The building’s roof had extensive damage, Chase said.

Polychem develops polyurethane coatings for things like garage floors. Grossman’s company has rented space in a warehouse at 5528 E. Cataldo Ave. for more than two years. There are three employees.

Grossman said he was surprised by the fire because the business doesn’t use highly flammable materials to make its products.

“The true story is, it could’ve been a lot worse,” Grossman said.

The fire was discovered at 4:57 a.m. when smoke set off an alarm system.