The investigation continues into the cause of the May 19 fire that destroyed the building housing Sequim Consignment Co. and Baja Cantina Fresh Mexican Grill at 820 W. Washington St.

Patrick Young, public information officer with Clallam County Fire District 3, said they determined it was potentially an attic fire but the scene was too dangerous to get inside and determine 100 percent what caused it.

The fire district turned the investigation over to the building owner Candy Diesen’s insurance company, Travelers Insurance, on Tuesday morning to investigate the fire’s cause and further damage.

“They are supposed to be on site Tuesday to secure the site and remove dangerous items from the remaining roof line and pin-point a cause and define the origin,” Young said.

The fire, which burned for more than four hours starting in the early afternoon on May 19, was spotted in the attic by Brian Barrick, owner of

Sequim Consignment Co., who called 9-1-1 simultaneously as paramedics driving by spotted smoke at 1:07 p.m.

Employees from both businesses evacuated with one employee examined for smoke inhalation but not treated.

The entire building was determined to be lost but no neighboring businesses were damaged during the blaze, Young said.

Owner and family members with Baja Cantina, which opened in early 2013 and featured authentic, hot Mexican food, indicated they plan to reopen and continue to look for options whether it’s in the existing spot or elsewhere.

Barrick has owned and operated Sequim Consignment Co., for 4½ years while his partner Diesen has owned the building for about 10 years.

Barrick said the fire puts his Sequim Consignment Co. out of business and he’s not sure what he’s going to do.