Tri-Cities first taphouse damaged in late night fire
A fire broke out in the kitchen of Tommy’s Tap House and Bistro late Thursday damaging the region’s first taphouse.
Richland’s fire marshal was returning to the scene of the fire on Friday morning to continue investigating what started the blaze that broke out just before midnight, said fire Battalion Chief Brenda Rodgers
People in a nearby building spotted flames coming from the back of the business and called 911. When firefighters arrived, they saw flames coming from the commercial vent hoods.
Firefighters needed to force their way into the locked building and were able to stop the fire in the kitchen within 30 minutes.
While the structure wasn’t damaged, there was a lot of smoke and heat damage inside, Rodgers said.
Richland firefighters were joined by crews from Kennewick, as well as Benton County fire districts 2 and 4.
No one was hurt.
It’s unclear when it could reopen.
“To our Tommy’s family: You might be waking up to the news that there was a fire at Tommy’s last night,” according to a post on the business’ Facebook page.. “Our hearts are broken, but we are just thankful everyone is safe. We will let you know more as we learn more.”
The business opened at its Lee Boulevard location on 2012, as a branch of the original Bellingham McKay’s Taphouse, and was the first of its type in the Tri-Cities.
It was renamed in 2017 after it came under new ownership.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 10:29 AM.