By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
Swinomish Casino & Lodge reopened on a limited basis Monday afternoon after having sustained a minor kitchen fire Sunday evening.
Monday hours at the casino were 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., with the lodge remaining temporarily closed, according to a Nov. 9 public statement issued by Swinomish Casino & Lodge management.
“Due to a small fire, the Swinomish Casino & Lodge will be operating in limited areas under limited hours,” the statement advised. “The lodge will be closed until further notice. All lodge arriving guests will be contacted regarding their reservations.”
Skagit County Fire District 13, whose coverage area includes Swinomish Reservation and rural La Conner, rushed a five-member team to the scene, where smoke had initially been reported on different floors of the five-story complex.
The Anacortes, McLean Road, and Mt. Erie fire departments and Skagit County District 6 firefighters also responded.
Swinomish Casino & Lodge staff led the safe evacuation of all diners, guests and employees.
“Folks were making it out of the building as we got there,” said District 13 firefighter/EMT Cole Mardesich. “The casino did a fantastic job.”
Ultimately, it was determined that the likely origin of the fire was in the 13 Moons kitchen area.
“The fire was extinguished fairly quickly,” Mardesich said, “but we stayed on scene to check for any possible extensions in the building. We ended up remaining there until about 11:30. Law enforcement stayed even longer.”
The fire call came into District 13 around 7 p.m. on Sunday, said Mardesich. By around 7:45 p.m., the fire had been knocked down.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
