Update | 8-year-old girl dies and her brother is critical after Kennewick RV fire

An 8-year-old girl has died after a fire broke out in a motorhome at an RV park Saturday morning.

Kennewick Fire Chief Chad Michael posted the tragic news Sunday on Twitter.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a community member that lost her life in an RV fire yesterday,” he wrote. “Many of our firefighters are mothers and fathers. We cannot imagine the unbearable pain of losing a child. We are hoping and praying for the recovery of the other child involved.”

The girl’s 14-year-old brother also was in the RV when the fire started. He was reported to be in critical condition after the blaze.

Shortly after 11 a.m. callers to 911 reported black smoke billowing out of a motorhome at 7322 W. Bonnie Ave. and said a child appeared to be on top of the motorhome.

Firefighters arrived within five minutes and discovered the 14 year old had climbed out of the rear window of the motorhome with the help of people who were nearby.

The boy told neighbors and then police, who arrived first, that his sister remained trapped inside the burning motorhome. However, the door to the motorhome was locked, preventing an immediate entry, according to Kennewick police Officer Zach Gain.

Arriving firefighters used a chain saw and other tools to break open the main door to the motorhome and quickly found the girl.

The brother and sister were taken to a hospital by ambulance. Initial reports were that the 8 year old was suffering from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters spent 26 minutes extinguishing the fire. Benton County Fire District 1 and the Richland Fire Department assisted.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital, according to Kennewick fire officials.

There was no damage to nearby motorhomes at the RV park off Highway 240 and about a block from Columbia Center Boulevard. But the one that burned was a total loss, according to the Kennewick Fire Department.

A small space heater was possibly to blame for the fire, according to initial reports.

The Kennewick Fire Department said only that the cause of the fire appeared to be accidental and it remains under investigation by both the fire and police departments.

Kennewick fire officials reminded owners of recreational vehicles of the importance of maintaining working smoke alarms, having routine inspections and maintenance done, and reducing the risk of cooking and heating fires in RVs.

This story was originally published November 12, 2022 at 1:52 PM.