West Richland home gutted by fast-spreading fire

A West Richland home was ravaged by fire Monday morning when flames apparently spread from an attached garage.

The garage and shop were already engulfed when the first firefighters arrived, said Capt. Bonnie Benitz, with Benton County Fire District 4.

Emergency crews were called at 9:40 a.m. to the 5600 block of West Lattin Road, just north of Kennedy Road.

One person was home at the time but got outside safely, said Benitz.

Fire District 4 crews were helped by other fire departments, including Richland and Benton County District 2.

The fire spread quickly through the two-story house, leaving a smoldering shell in less than hour.

Benton County property records show the three-bedroom home was first built in 1960 but had been updated and was currently valued at $390,000.

Neighbors and friends told the Herald the home had been rebuilt in recent years after being damaged by a previous fire.

This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 11:07 AM.