Officials confirm body of business owner Nathaniel Breaux found at site of Fairhaven fire

Officials confirmed Tuesday morning that a body recovered from the site of a structure fire in Fairhaven is that of Nathaniel V. Breaux, owner of the Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffeehouse.

Breaux had been missing since the Dec. 17 fire that destroyed the two businesses and several second-floor offices. Search crews had to ensure it was safe to enter the building, among the county’s oldest structures, before they could fully search the site.

Deborah Hollis, chief Investigator and operations manager for the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office, told The Herald the cause of death was inhalation of products of combustion, and the manner of death was an accident.

A body was recovered from the destroyed building on Dec. 26, but authorities were unable to confirm the identification until Tuesday.

This story was originally published January 2, 2024 at 12:28 PM.

Jack Belcher

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2206

Jack Belcher covers transportation and recreation for The Bellingham Herald. He graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in digital journalism in 2020 and joined the staff in September 2022. Belcher resides in Bellingham.