Fire damages 2 Kennewick homes, multiple vehicles

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Multiple fires this weekend kept fire crews around the region busy. The Kennewick Fire Department responded to two house fires about an hour apart from one another Sunday.

The first fire was reported just before 6:30 p.m. Fire fighters were called to the 2500 block of West Clearwater for a report of a detached garage that was on fire. A witness on the scene also reported hearing several small "explosions" as the fire continued to grow.

When crews got to the scene, they said they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the garage. They also said a power line had fallen across the backyard of the home and immediately called for Benton PUD to assist.

Crews from Benton County Fire District #1 and Richland Fire and Emergency Services also responded to the scene, as did the Kennewick Police Department.

As soon as a crew from Benton PUD was able to secure the power line and shut it down, firefighters were able to attack the fire that had now fully engulfed the garage. No one was inside at the time and no one was hurt at this fire. While the exact cause isn't known at this time, fire officials said a propane weed burner was used earlier in the day, which may have contributed to the fire.

About an hour after fire crews arrived on scene of the garage fire, they were called to a house fire on the 1500 block of West 2nd Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing multiple cars on fire and part of the house had also caught fire. As crews were on their way, more calls came in to give updated information on the size of the fire.

When firefighters got to the scene, they said fire had engulfed several parked cars along the carport side of the house. Fire crews from Benton County Fire District #1, the Pasco Fire Department and Richland Fire and Emergency Services were also called to the scene. Officers with the Kennewick Police Department also responded due to several homes near the fire needing to be evacuated and people for traffic control.

The fire brought several onlookers to the area. Firefighters used their fixed water turret, also called a "deck gun" to put out the fire that had engulfed four vehicles. After the car fires were out, firefighters got into the house to search for anyone who may have still been inside. Due to how close the houses were, firefighters had to go to a neighboring home, cut a hole in the side of the house and inspect the attic space to make sure the fire had not spread.

Both homes were damaged by smoke and water. The primary home, carport and vehicles had heavy damage due to smoke, water, and fire. One person in the primary home and a family of four in the secondary home could not stay due to the damage. No one was home at either house at the time of the fire and the Red Cross was called in to help the families find a place to stay.

No one was injured and the cause of this fire remains under investigation.

Despite some social media rumors, no one was arrested at the scene.

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