UPDATE: 65-year-old woman found dead inside smoldering Kennewick home

Smoking near an oxygen tank is believed to have started a deadly Monday night fire in Kennewick.

A 65-year-old woman was home alone Monday night when the fire broke out in the living room sometime before 6:15 p.m., Kennewick Fire Chief Chad Michael told the Herald.

The woman’s boyfriend arrived at the house just off Canal Drive at 228 N. Quincy St. shortly after the fire is believe to have started and called 911.

As firefighters were arriving, someone reported hearing an explosion inside the house.

The first crews to arrive didn’t see any flames, but the battalion chief saw the smoke through the window and they went inside, Michael said.

Firefighters found the woman’s body in the room with the smoldering fire. They were able to put the blaze out quickly. Damage was mainly contained to the room where she was found, Michael said.

Investigators returned to the house Tuesday morning, and it’s believed that the fire started at the living room couch, according to a news release from the fire chief.

Officials said smoking around an oxygen canister is incredibly dangerous.

“When a fire is exposed to pure oxygen, it causes a fire to burn hotter and more vigorously then just air,” the chief said. “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. ... We are deeply saddened by the loss.”

The woman’s identity isn’t likely to be confirmed until after an autopsy and dental record comparison on Wednesday in Snohomish County, Benton County Coroner Bill Leach said.

Kennewick firefighters were helped by Richland and Pasco fire departments, as well as Benton County Fire District 1.

This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 10:39 AM.