Sunday November 26, 2023
By Connor Board

On Friday morning, a large fire burned through every floor of Sophiya Halal Mini Market. The cause is still under investigation.

TUKWILA, Wash. — One day after a large fire burned through Sophiya Halal Mini Market in Tukwila, the family who owns the store said they are focusing on moving forward in order to keep serving their community.

“The whole thing was like, flooded, stairs are missing. The ceiling is falling down, the whole nine yards,” said Mohamed Ali, whose family has owned the market for 14 years.

Puget Sound Fire said the fire was in the basement and first and second floors. The agency posted pictures showing flames going through the roof when firefighters arrived.

Puget Sound Fire and the GoFundMe page said one person received minor injuries in the fire. Puget Sound Fire said the person was taken to the hospital.

Despite this damage, the family who owns the store said they have hope. Ali said it is a special place that serves many immigrants and refugees in the community.

“Everybody who comes inside comes in with a smile,” said Ali.

He said he was in shock on Friday morning when he woke up to calls about the fire.

“I jumped up, got out, didn’t brush my teeth, didn’t do anything, just came straight here,” said Ali.

In addition to the around 40 firefighters who were on scene Friday, Ali said dozens of community members came out to check on the family as well.

“When they saw this happening, they came in droves. They came with cars; they came with everything they had. And they said, ‘You helped me in the past, now it’s time for me to help you. What do you need me to do?’ And that was enough for us,” said Ali.

He said his family has put a focus on serving others for years.

“My mom is so generous that anybody she sees that is hungry, she will feed them. That’s just what we stand for,” said Ali.

Ali said it is important to him that his family continues to serve the community in this market for years to come.

“It’s not over,” said Ali. “We’re still going to be here. Come back and check on us in like a year, we’ll be here.”

Puget Sound Fire said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but did say the fire started on the outside of the backside of the building.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the market.