Early Morning Fire Doused in Downtown Yakima [PHOTOS]

An early morning fire near the Salvation Army Thrift Store in downtown Yakima was doused by Yakima Fire Department (YFD) crews after a call came in at 5:15 a.m.

Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters discovered empty pallets, pallets of books and bales of cardboard ablaze next to the store in a storage lot.

No injuries were reported.

According to a press release issued by YFD, a Salvation Army "employee assisted firefighters by using a forklift to remove burning material so it could be extinguished." The roof and an outside wall suffered the brunt of the damage but crews stopped further destruction before it could extend to the inside of the structure.

Traffic was closed at 6th Ave. and Chestnut while crews battled the fire and hauled away debris.

The extent of the damage is valued at $20,000 of which $10,000 is attributed towhat was marred at the Thrift Store.

The cause of the fire is being investigated