SEATTLE — Where fresh fruits and vegetables once were, the inside of Rising Sun Produce in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood is now full of melted plastic, ash and debris.
An early morning fire at the beloved family-owned business has forced the owners to close up for now and most likely throw away everything inside.
The Seattle Fire Department responded to a fire at the store around 3:10 a.m. on Friday and the department is investigating the cause of the fire.
According to Virgil Goodwin Sr. and his son, both of whom own and operate this business, it’s possible the fire was human-caused.
Goodwin, who is also known as Bud, carefully weaved his way through the wreckage on Friday, Feb. 9.
Goodwin spent the day cleaning up, canceling upcoming food orders and talking to customers who have come by to offer their support and condolences.
“This is going to shut us down,” Goodwin said as he stared at the mess inside. Rising Sun Produce has been serving the Seattle community since 1979. “The feeling. It’s shock still. I’ll probably cry tonight.”
The smoke damage is strong and most of the produce is now covered in ash. Goodwin was even considering donating what he could to a food bank but decided against it; he said he doesn't want to chance it and will likely have to toss it all.
“I don't even want to do that. I don't want to make people sick,” he said.
The customers won’t be able to step back inside for quite sometime. The business is now boarded up and a large-scale clean up effort is underway.
“That’s the thing I don't like. I dislike the most about this is, I'm not going to be able to help anybody out in the community right now. I can't. You are just tied,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin said he feels the support from the community in strides. “The support touches your heart. It really does,” Goodwin said.
As he watches the sun set while standing in the soot, Goodwin said he knows someday soon, the sun will rise again on his business.
“How does your heart hold all that? It's hard to believe," Goodwin said. "All you are doing is putting your oranges out and trying to be nice to people."
Goodwin has started an online fundraiser where the public can donate money to support recovery efforts.