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KENNEWICK -- A late-night fire that destroyed some playground equipment at a Kennewick church is being investigated as arson.
Kennewick police and fire investigators say security video at Word of Faith Center, 1350 S. Rainier St., appears to show someone intentionally setting fire to the equipment.
The blaze was reported around 8:45 p.m. and caused about $70,000 in damage, fire officials said.
Investigators were on scene Friday collecting evidence and looking for the source of the fire. They reviewed the surveillance video but were not releasing detailed information about what was seen, said Kennewick police Officer Tony Valdez.
Anyone with information about the fire can provide an anonymous tip through Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers at 586-8477.
Kennewick officer burned in engine fire
KENNEWICK — A Kennewick police officer is being treated at a Seattle hospital for burns to his hands and face.
Dale Kuehny was off-duty working on his personal car Thursday evening at his home in north Franklin County when a fire started in the engine compartment, said Kennewick police Sgt. Ken Lattin.
Kuehny's clothes and face caught fire. Initial reports from the hospital say he was burned over about 20 percent of his body, Lattin said.
Kuehny was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, then flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
"He's going to make a full recovery," Lattin said.
Kuehny was listed in serious condition Friday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Kennewick police officers drove Kuehny's wife to Seattle on Thursday night and members of the Fraternal Order of Police are helping the family with whatever they need.
Kuehny, who's worked for Kennewick police for two years, also is a former Connell police sergeant.
Richalnd keying suspects nabbed
RICHLAND — Two men from Tennessee were arrested by Richland police after keying two cars at an apartment complex two nights in a row, police said.
Officers first were called to the apartments in the 2400 block of George Washington Way at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday after a witness saw two men near a vehicle, said Officer Erica Tungesvik.
One man, later identified as Stephen Lewis Vandergriff, 40, then was spotted scratching the car with a key before both men ran off, she said.
The vehicle had extensive scratches on the hood and sides, with damage estimated at $4,000, Tungesvik said.
Police contacted Vandergriff and Kevin Owen Drum-wright, 30, after the witness told officers to which apartment the men ran.
Drumwright has been temporarily staying in Richland and Vandergriff was visiting him, Tungesvik said.
Vandergriff was arrested and booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief.
The following night, officers again were called to the same apartment complex after another car was damaged, Tungesvik said.
Officers determined Drum-wright had scratched the vehicle, causing about $5,000 in damage, she said.
Drumwright was also jailed on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief.
Tungesvik said both victims were known to the suspects.
Truck, mower stolen in Richland
RICHLAND — A truck and riding lawn mower were stolen from a Richland home and two suspects are in jail, police said.
The residential burglary in the 4000 block of Keene Road was reported to Richland police Thursday and officers were able to develop information identifying the suspect as Matthew Hamblin, 28, said Officer Erica Tungesvik.
Hamblin was arrested and the Ford Ranger was recovered, she said.
During the investigation, police linked a 19-year-old West Richland woman to the break-in and also arrested her.
Jessica Olson was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of residential burglary and first-degree possession of stolen property.
Hamblin was jailed on suspicion of trafficking stolen property, vehicle theft and residential burglary.
Man found in Pasco cooler dies
PASCO — A 50-year-old Pasco man who was found collapsed in a cooler at Pasco Processing died of natural causes, officials said.
Lonyera Tobias Moru had a slight heartbeat when he was found in the cooler Tuesday, but was pronounced dead when he got to Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco, said Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel.
An autopsy Thursday showed Moru died of cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscles, he said.
Blasdel said he reported the death to the state Department of Labor & Injuries, which investigates workplace deaths.
L&I spokesman Hector Castro said the department is reviewing the incident but does not currently have an open investigation into the death.
-- Paula Horton: 509-582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com
