Illegal fireworks blamed for fire that burned ridge west of Kennewick

Benton County sheriff’s deputies are looking for three young men suspected of starting a brush fire with illegal fireworks on Wednesday.

The fire scorched a hillside south of Interstate 82, west of Kennewick.

Witnesses said they saw three men or teens start the fire while lighting Roman candles in an open field.

Firefighters from seven agencies were able to contain the blaze before it could damage homes in the area of Grandview Lane and Summit View.

Deputies posted a photo of a dark sedan that the suspects were reportedly driving.

Anyone with information on the suspects or incident are asked to call the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire crews responded from Benton Fire districts 1 and 2, Franklin County districts 3 and 5, West Benton Fire & Rescue, and the Kennewick and Richland fire departments.

This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 7:00 PM.