No smoke alarms inside site of Kennewick fatal fire, investigators say
The home where a Kennewick woman died this week had no smoke alarms, fire officials said Thursday.
Investigators are still trying to determine what started the fire at 220 E. First Ave. that was spotted by a passerby at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The homeowner Tara Ulmen Didier is believed to be the victim found in the living room toward the front of the house.
Benton County coroner officials are working to confirm her identity. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the Snohomish County medical examiner’s office.
Family members believe it’s Didier, the former sister-in-law of Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier.
“The Kennewick Fire Department would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the friends and family members of our community member that lost her life in the residential fire,” the fire department said in a news release Thursday. “This loss weighs heavily upon us and reinforces the importance of working proactively with our community.”
Fire can spread rapidly through a home, and fire department officials say it’s important to have smoke alarms and a plan to escape a burning home.
The agency encouraged people to check their smoke alarms, and make sure there is one inside each bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. The alarms also should be tested once a month and replaced every 10 years.
Contact the Kennewick Fire Department’s fire marshal office at 509-585-4230 with any questions about smoke alarms or if you need help replacing them.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 5:42 PM.