Update: Fire reignites at Hanford High, gutting storage shed and destroying equipment

Firefighters were called to fires at school district property Friday night in Pasco and early Saturday morning in Richland.

The Richland School District said that a fire reported just before 2 a.m. Saturday destroyed a small building and its contents near the soccer field at Hanford High School.

The building held irrigation parts and supplies, field painting equipment and supplies, two utility task vehicles and a forklift. Several lawn mowers outside of the building also were damaged, according to the school district.

The fire reignited about 3:20 p.m. Sunday, but was quickly contained, according to the district.

Hot spots that had not been fully extinguished Saturday were blamed. The fire Sunday collapsed the roof of the building, giving firefighters access to get more water on the interior of the building.

Photos posted by neighbors to social media Saturday showed flames and thick smoke billowing from the outbuilding early that morning.

The investigation of the cause is continuing, but an electrical issue is suspected, according to the Richland School District.

The district has insurance that covers electrical fires, it said.

The area around the building has been blocked off for the safety of students, staff and the public, it said.

In Pasco, a car crashed into the fence and traffic barriers around the diesel generator at the Pasco School District’s administration building, the Booth Building, at 1215 W. Lewis St., about 9:30 p.m. Friday.

The car caught fire, but the driver escaped, school district staff were told in a message.

The district’s Booth Building was not seriously damaged.

This story was originally published September 21, 2024 at 2:02 PM.