SNOHOMISH — The charred remains of Eastside Tire are now cleared as the auto shop lost to a fire in May looks to rebuild.
A bigger and better Eastside Tire and Automotive could be open by January at its same spot at 1125 Ave. D, shop manager Dan Poteet said last week.
On Monday, July 13, Poteet and a small crew pulled a 14-hour day working to remove the rubble. By the following afternoon, little was left. A few burned vehicles still were to be removed.
Many people have given support and kindness because of the loss, from customers in the community to other auto shops. Poteet said his phone rang non-stop on the day of the fire.
He gives “a really big thank you for the support,” Poteet said. “They’ve been concerned how we’re doing.”
Poteet, 31, has known this shop all his life. His dad Shawn Poteet owned it before he was born.
How the fire started is not known, but it started behind the building. Poteet said that he understands the fire’s cause is undetermined, which he said is disheartening. Calls to the city and county fire marshal’s offices were not returned by press time.
In the fire, Snohomish firefighter Aaron Hammer saved a turtle living at the shop that got buried in the debris. The family named the reptile Hammer for his rescuer. He’s doing well in his new tank, Poteet said.
