For the Reporter

No one was injured in a three-alarm fire that severely damaged a body shop in Auburn on Thursday night.

The fire, at P.A.N. Body Shop, 2810 Academy Drive SE, was spotted by a passerby who called 911 at approximately 8:25 p.m. The passerby also alerted an employee working outside of the building to the fire. The employee attempted to fight the fire using two fire extinguishers, but was unsuccessful and evacuated.

No other employees were reported to be in the building.

As Valley Regional Fire Authority firefighters approached the scene, a large column of smoke became visible. Upon arrival, crews found a large portion of the building involved in fire. A second alarm was called as flames began spreading to an adjacent building.

A third alarm was issued two hours into the firefighting effort to bring in additional resources and allow fire crews to be rotated and rested. The fire was brought under control, but crews continued to douse hot spots late Thursday.

Three ladder trucks, 10 fire engines and several command units from the VRFA, South King Fire & Rescue, Kent Fire RFA and Mountain View Fire & Rescue responded to the fire. King County Medic One also responded to conduct firefighter rehabilitation and medical assessments.

Both buildings involved in the fire were heavily damaged. The P.A.N. Body Shop occupies at least two of the six tenant spaces in the warehouse-type building where the fire began.

The fire is under investigation.