SUQUAMISH — Firefighters from three departments were battling a fire in the older parking garage at Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, Dec. 2.

North Kitsap Herald reporter Richard D. Oxley reported that from the street he could see black smoke billowing out of a mid-level floor of the parking garage. He reported hearing an explosion at 11:35 a.m. He said a security guard said the fire was on the fourth floor.

Bainbridge, North Kitsap, and Poulsbo fire departments were at the scene. Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department officers were at the scene as well.

“It’s going strong. I can see the flames from here,” Oxley reported by phone. The police scanner stated that the fire was believed to have started in the engine compartment of one car, but may have spread to neighboring cars, he said.

Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, located near the Agate Pass bridge, is an enterprise of Port Madison Enterprises, the economic development arm of the Suquamish Tribe. Port Madison Enterprises employs 750 people and is one of the largest private employers in Kitsap County.

The fire occurred as the resort — a hotel, four dining venues, a spa and the casino — undergoes a four-phase expansion.

Phase I, a second, 670-space parking garage, was completed this year.

Phase II, scheduled to be completed in May 2015, will result in the addition of 10,000 square feet of meeting space, 4,500 square feet of pre-function space, and an all-water-view, 98-room, six-story hotel wing that will include fine dining and cafe-style restaurants.

Phase III, scheduled to be completed in December 2016, will result in an extensive remodel and expansion of the casino, with a new lounge.

Phase IV, scheduled to be completed in December 2017, will result in the addition of 15,000 square feet of entertainment space.