Blistering fire heavily damages storage unit complex in Kennewick
Several storage units in Kennewick were heavily damaged when something sparked a fire and the flames spread Tuesday night.
A person who rented one of the units inhaled some smoke and was checked by medics but did not need to be taken to a hospital, said fire officials.
Fire crews were first called about 5 p.m. to the blaze at the Garage Town rentals, 725 N. Edison St., across from Kamiakin High School, said a news release.
The first Kennewick fire units arrived in just over seven minutes, and other crews from Benton County Fire District 1, the Pasco Fire Department and Richland Fire and Emergency Services were called to help keep the fire from spreading inside the large complex.
Firefighters used saws to cut through the metal garage doors of some of the storage units to get to the flames.
The fire was under control in about 30 minutes, but firefighters stayed at the scene overnight to stop any flareups.
Three of the garage units are not safe to enter because of the extensive damage, said Deputy Fire Chief Michael Heffner. Three others had smoke and water damage.
No one was inside the storage units at the time of the fire. The cause is still under investigation.