‘Loss and disappointment:’ Early morning fire a setback for Olalla Bay Market plans

 A fire devastated the Olala Bay Market early Tuesday morning.

Olala -- South Kitsap's Olala Bay Market caught fire early Tuesday morning, setbacks in efforts to reopen the beloved spot to the community.

No injuries have been reported in this incident.

Marta Drevniak, daughter of business owners Greg Olsen and Claudia Olsen, said the security system alerted her family to the fire. A crowd of people were at the scene. South Kitsap Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Laine Desilets said firefighters were first called to the market around 2:15 am. They entered the building and were able to put out the fire quickly, she said.The situation improved quickly after first responders cut a hole in the roof, she said, and the first floor of the building was cleared. had moderate smoke and heat damage.

The incident generated a lot of publicity, and firefighters from South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Bremerton Fire Department, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, and Navy Region Northwest worked together.

The fire is being investigated by the Kitsap County Fire Department.

Drevniak said her family did not suspect foul play in the fire, saying, "I don't think anyone did that at this point. I think it was internal, but beyond that I don't know. ”

Greg Olsen stands between empty shelves at Al's Butcher Shop and a grocery store in Olala, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.

Reopening Plans: Olalla author Gregg Olsen wants to bring the closed He Al store back to life.

The Olsens plan to purchase the location formerly known as Al's Butcher Shop and Grocery in 2021 and reopen the space as a renovated market and community hangout. Now known as Olala Bay Market and Landing.

Drevniak said it will be several weeks before her family starts the market side of the business.

“The first thing that came to my mind when my parents and I were looking at and working on this project was all the people who put in all the time and effort – the professionals who put in countless hours and effort. "It was a disappointment for the efforts of the public and volunteers. This is the place," she said.

Drevniak said "dozens" of people stopped by the store, hugged and asked what to do. At this point, she said the best way to provide support is by donating through her GoFundMe page set up for the company. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised more than $11,000 for her donation. The company will also be selling merch at Olala's Americana Music Festival this weekend. "If we can get in there and retrieve something, hopefully we won't be too far behind," Drevniak said. "I will do everything to prevent that from happening."

Nathan Pilling is a reporter covering Kitsap Sun's Bainbridge Island, North He Ferries in Kitsap, Washington.

#international #market