Mother and disabled son safe after raging 3-alarm fire guts Richland duplex

Friends and relatives pulled sewing machines, a laptop and clothes from the blackened ruins of a Richland home Tuesday morning.

There were looking to salvage what remained after a raging 3-alarm blaze tore through the duplex the night before.

Charlene Wolf, 77, lived there for more than 20 years, taking care of her son, Mike Wolf, 60, who suffers from advanced multiple sclerosis. Both managed to escape unhurt, along with their dog Bella.

Tuesday, she looked inside the gutted remains of her home and cried.

But there was some hope, the fire left the basement at 1411 Stevens Drive largely intact, along with several quilting projects she was working on.

“I am truly at a loss for words at this time,” said her son, Chance Wolf. “I am just so thankful they were safe and my main concern is taking care of my family at this point. I thank you for your prayers, positive thoughts and concern.”

Even as they pulled out items they could salvage Tuesday, neighbors came up to them and asked what was needed.

Heather Utecht brought over several empty boxes and a dog bed.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she told the Herald. “As neighbors, we all just want to support her and her son.”

Fire investigation

Richland Assistant Fire Marshal Ken Buechler said it appears the 7:20 p.m. fire may have started with a cigarette that was put out inside a pot of soil underneath the back porch.

Firefighters were on the scene for more than four hours with numerous fire engines and ambulances from Richland and Pasco battling the flames.

Community members already were rallying around the family.

A hospital-style bed was donated for their use, and a Facebook fundraiser had collected $5,400 in donations. Also, Tumbleweeds restaurant joined in offering the Wolf family a free meal each day for the rest of the month.

“Whatever you can give towards helping them recover and get into a new home is so greatly appreciated!” said Dawn Wolf, the fundraiser’s organizer and Mike’s former wife.

The Red Cross also offered the family help with immediate needs.

They are staying with Chance Wolf, who said on Facebook that they are starting the long process of recovery.

Family friend Kelly Hollman said the Wolfs are amazing people.

“I’m going to do everything I can do to help,” she said. “They’re going to need a lot to get through this. Lots of prayers. They all got out safe and now they need help.”

This story was originally published March 22, 2021 at 8:41 PM.