False alarm at Town Center in LFP

It's always worth a second look when the fire ladder is fully extended. This was at the Echo Lake Neighborhood Picnic in July. Photo by Carl Dinse.

A startling scene by Ace Hardware in Lake Forest Park Town Center on Monday turned out to be a false alarm.

Early evening on Monday, August 17, 2026 shoppers and passers-by were surprised to see a full contingent of police and fire trucks by Ace Hardware on the upper level of Town Center.

A fire truck had the ladder extended and firefighters were on the roof of the building.

Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm.