Everett Fire Update 3:30pm – Body Located in Rubble

The building was built in 1894 and was the longtime home of Jack’s Men’s Shop

You can see where bricks from the facade have fallen away from the structure of the building

Everett Police have confirmed that firefighters and police have located a body within the rubble of the fire scene at 1816 Hewitt Avenue. Everett Police spokesman Aaron Snell says the body has been observed in the rubble but could not provide any other details. Because of the dangerous conditions crews have to stabilize the building before Everett Fire and Police investigators and the medical examiner can examine and remove the body. One resident of the building is still missing but Snell would not speculate on whether the body seen was that resident.

Construction crews have been brought in to remove the brick facade on the exterior of the building.

You can see from the attached pictures that there is a layer of brick on top of the structural brick that makes up the shell of the building. Officials on scene say if they can remove the brick facade they may be able to make sure the building is stable so crews can get in and recover the body and start the investigation. A large backhoe was brought to the scene this afternoon and crews will start on that task as soon as possible.

Kate Reardon, spokesperson for the city of Everett says Hewitt Avenue will be closed all weekend as crews do their work. There is an event scheduled for 5:00pm Saturday next door at Comcast Arena Everett and that will go on. People are asked to stay clear of the fire scene and plan on arriving a few minutes early in order to navigate the area around Comcast Arena.