Fire destroys Tacoma manufacturing plant, sends smoke over freeways
An overnight fire Sunday destroyed a manufacturing plant in the Nalley Valley area, the Tacoma Fire Department reported.
Firefighters were dispatched to Johnson’s Millwork, 2319 South Tacoma Way, at about 6:40 p.m. Sunday, battalion chief Lincoln Correa told The News Tribune on Monday. The business manufactures doors, trim and millwork, according to its website.
Flames consumed the inside of the building, Correa said. Flammables inside made it too risky for firefighters to go in, he said, so they battled the fire from the outside. Crews continued to extinguish hot spots Monday morning.
The building was constructed in 1926, Correa said.
“It’s just sad. Johnson’s been in business since forever,” John Filbert, co-owner of Distribution Solution, which sits across the street from the now-burned mill, told The News Tribune. “They’ve been really good neighbors, helped with various remodel projects.”
Filbert remembers going to the mill with his dad to buy stuff when he was a kid.
“Outstanding people, outstanding company,” he said.
A firefighter suffered minor injuries but did not require hospitalization, the battalion chief said. A cause has yet to be determined.
Smoke from the fire could be seen from Interstate 5 and state Route 16.
Firefighters expect to be on the scene throughout Monday and possibly into Tuesday, Correa said.
South Tacoma Way was blocked Monday morning from Pine to Sprague, Tacoma police reported.
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 8:52 AM with the headline "Fire destroys Tacoma manufacturing plant, sends smoke over freeways."
