Pasco trucking company’s devastating fire could top $1 million in damage

The loss in this weekend’s destructive truck yard fire north of Pasco is expected to reach about $1 million.

Seven semi truck cabs were destroyed Saturday night in the chain-reaction fire in the parking lot of Harms Pacific Transport.

The company, in business since 1926, specializes in hauling dry and liquid fertilizer. But Fire Chief Mike Harris, with Franklin County Fire District 3, said no fertilizer burned or was spilled.

Franklin County 3 firefighters and Franklin County sheriff’s deputies were called to the truck yard at 3220 N. Glade Road about 9:45 p.m.

The trucks were parked closely together, just an open cab door apart, and gusting winds spread the flames from cab to cab, said Harris.

Seven cabs were consumed. An eighth truck was moved out of the way. And two tankers on the cabs were damaged by the fire.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined but may have been an electrical or battery issue, he said. Some of the trucks were plugged into engine block heaters.

The Harms truck yard has no fire hydrant so water had to be hauled in by area fire agencies to fight the flames.

Pasco firefighters helped with the fire and water tender trucks came from other area districts, including Franklin County #5, Walla Walla and several Benton County fire districts.

Company owners Gary Marquard and Steve Dilley have a fleet of 25 trucks and 50 trailers, and they do business throughout Western U.S. and Canada, according to their website.