Structure Fire On Gravelly Lake Drive Causes Morning Road Closure

LAKEWOOD, WA — A commercial building fire on Gravelly Lake Drive Wednesday morning had firefighters and police urging drivers to avoid the area if possible.

Update, 2:08 p.m.: Gravelly Lake Drive's northbound and southbound lanes have all been reopened.

The fire was first reported at around 7:20 p.m., in a vacant commercial building in the 9600 block of Gravelly Lake Drive.

Images from the scene show a building firmly ablaze and billowing smoke. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to other, nearby buildings, but Gravelly Lake Drive remained closed from Lake Grove to Mt Tacoma Drive for hours as firefighters continued to mop up hot spots.

During that time, drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible, or prepare for backups.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.