Editor’s NOTE: Yes, I know I spelled it “Hilstoric” – I had one eye open writing this post but now I sort of #love my mistake- Sad news this AM.
UPDATE-MORE ONSITE VIDEO AND GO FUND ME HELP NEEDED FOR LUCIA ISABEL COLLECTION
WATCH THE UPDATE FROM MID AM- JAN 2nd- 2022, I mention Leita in this Film, Name Correction I am speaking of Lucia (Bautista Mendez) Nguyen
Lucia Isabel Collection Go Fund Me – Help Needs For This Local Family Who Lost Their Business In This Fire. Lucia Nguyen is a local person, just 24, and share worked 2 jobs for 3 years to be able to open this beautiful miracle of a dress and gown boutique! Let’s all rally around her and her family and donate to this very good cause!
ย ย Although great efforts were made to save these beautiful dresses, the word has come from a family friend that it is unlikely they can ever be used.ย Thanks to #HillsboroFire For all you did to save these works of art!
From Earlier On Jan 2nd As the Fire and Story Developed: This just in early this AM.ย The buildings at /near the Weil’s Arcade in Historic Downtown Hillsboro burst into flames.ย Crews from Hillsboro Fire, Forest Grove, and Cornelius Fire are involved in fighting the blaze that broke out at about 3:45 AM.ย 2 Blocks of Downtown Hillsboro are closed off as firefighters fight this blaze.ย At this time we have reports the block is closed but the fires are under control.ย Weichert Realty and Lucia Isabel Dress Shop appear to be gone, the suits above burned as well.ย The owner is Jay Weil and his family who have owned the property for generations – over 100 years.ย Weil’s Department Store was the first large store of its kind has roots back as far as 1895. The Hillsboro Pharmacy and adjacent buildings are reported as being ok, the roof of the main Weil’s building collapsed during the fire.
No injuries nor a cause of the fire have been reported so far. It appears the fire is now under control but boy oh boy— this is gonna hurt. The Herald has our offices across the street from this very spot. Gonna be sad not looking out at Weil’s anymore- not the way it has been for over 100 years!ย Many prayers to Leita and her family from the dress shop as well as all of our friends at Weichert Realty who have been established there for a long time.
Firefighters have the bulk of the fire knocked down but still working to extinguish hot spots. Main closed between 1st and 4th. โฆ@TVFRโฉ โฆ@ForestGroveFireโฉ โฆ@CorneliusFireโฉ โฆ@BanksFireโฉ โฆ@PDXFireโฉ โฆ@MetroWestAmbโฉ โฆ@HillsboroPoliceโฉ pic.twitter.com/KdmMdWqoXj
โ Hillsboro Fire & Rescue (@HillsboroFire) January 2, 2022
Crews continue battling the commercial fire. Now a 4th alarm. Two blocks closed around the fire area. โฆ@TVFRโฉ โฆ@CorneliusFireโฉ โฆ@ForestGroveFireโฉ โฆ@MetroWestAmbโฉ โฆ@WashcoOregonโฉ โฆ@CityofHillsboroโฉ โฆ@PDXFireโฉ pic.twitter.com/8Msuq1m7BL
โ Hillsboro Fire & Rescue (@HillsboroFire) January 2, 2022
A commercial structure is fully involved. Crews from @TVFR @CorneliusFire @ForestGroveFire on scene. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/OCzPFUbjpe
โ Hillsboro Fire & Rescue (@HillsboroFire) January 2, 2022
Pics from the Tribune
More photos from this morningโs commercial fire in downtown Hillsboro. pic.twitter.com/ZvYGBsaU76
โ Jaime Valdez (@jaimevaldezpmg) January 2, 2022
A commercial structure is fully involved. Crews from @TVFR @CorneliusFire @ForestGroveFire on scene. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/OCzPFUbjpe
โ Hillsboro Fire & Rescue (@HillsboroFire) January 2, 2022
This is the very historic Weil’s Department Store that has burned up.ย Our thoughts go out to Jay Weil and his family who have owned this building for 3 generations and right at 100 years.
Photo Album From The Day Of The Fire
Good reporting Dirk!
So very sad and tragic for Jay and all of the businesses involved – our hearts are breaking for our friends & neighbors directly across Main Street from our business. Very scary to think of how many lives can be affected in such a horrible way so quickly. We’ll hope and pray that these folks can rebuild and come back stronger than ever!
It has been a long day! Now we deal with a closed sidewalk and all of the clean up- but that all makes no difference compared to the losses taken today! The work starts now!
so very sorry to hear of this terrible fire Dirk!
Lana Kosik, MORE Realty
First call shown on Pulsepoint is 0245, HFD, TVF&R, FGF&R, Cornelius and Portland all responded per KOIN.
https://www.koin.com/news/smoke-clouds-hillsboros-main-street-as-crews-battle-4-alarm-fire/
Thoughts and prayers for all those affected. Grateful no one was injured. An opportunity for all of us to support our precious downtown.
That’s a shame. Lots of memories there.
I found a recording by Jake Weil talking about the store, how it was started, and what it was like shopping there in the old days. It’s extremely slow (probably help with insomnia) but still interesting for history’s sake: https://heritage.lib.pacificu.edu/s/wcho/item/124508
Thank you for this very comprehensive article. An extremely horrible and sad event for the community and the business owners.
So sad to see this happen. My company has worked on this building a few times for broken glass, and Jay has always been so nice to work with. I hope they can rebuild and bring back the same look. Proud of our local fire professionals who reacted so quickly protecting what they could. So thankful for them.
Thank you, Ward!
so very sorry to hear of this terrible fire Dirk!
Lana Kosik, MORE Realty