No one hurt after home in Pasco catches fire from burning weeds

PASCO, Wash. -- No one was hurt after flames from burning weeds spread to Pasco home.

The Pasco Fire Department was dispatched to 4418 W. Court Street in Pasco on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 around 1 p.m. after reports of heavy black smoke in the area.

PFD was able to respond within five minutes of the call. The one-story commercial building caught fire because occupants had been burning weeds outside the building, but that fire quickly spread to bushes that were close to the building, which then spread to the building and roof structure.

There were no reported injuries. Crews from Franklin County Fire District #3 as well as the Kennewick Fire Department came to assist in fighting the fire.

Ben Shearer, Public Information Officer with the Pasco Fire Department said, "The lesson of the day is while you're out there doing your spring cleaning today, think about redecorating your yard area. If you have arborvitaes next to your building, it's a good time to take those things out, take them away, they are always a live fuel source. They put out lots of heat, lots of flame, so if you do get any kind of spark in there, no matter what time of year, we always have problems with arborvitaes next to those houses. So think about that. They do give nice shade, But get them out of there. Plant some taller trees out away from the building to still give you the same shade, but not have the same fire danger. "

This is an example that shows how important it is to have defensible space around your home.

FIND MORE STORIES AT APPLEVALLEYNEWSNOW.COM

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.