Damaging house fire forces Franklin County deputy and family to live in hotel

A Franklin County deputy and his family were forced out of their West Pasco home after a fire started recently in a bedroom.

Deputy Salvador Torres was coming home with his family of five to their Naches Court home on a Friday evening when they spotted smoke in the house from the front door and heard smoke alarms blaring, Pasco Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Maier.

When Pasco firefighters arrived, they found thick smoke and little heat throughout the house. A smoldering fire was discovered in one a bedroom.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been confirmed but a family friend, Alexis Allard, said in a GoFundMe it was an electrical fire.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire damage contained, but combined with the smoke, the house isn’t habitable at the moment.

“As a family of five, they are now facing the unexpected challenge of finding temporary housing and replacing essential items lost due to the damage,” Allard said in the GoFundMe.

She said the donated will help to cover hotel costs, daily necessities and basic essentials.

“Any donation, big or small, will go directly toward ensuring that they have a safe place to stay and the resources they need during this difficult time,” Allard wrote.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office also is pitching in to help the deputy, said Undersheriff Monty Huber. The family is staying in a hotel while they navigate getting their home fixed.

“We’re helping him the best we can,” Huber said. “Our sheriff’s foundation is providing some relief.”

Donations can be made through the GoFundMe at bit.ly/TorresFire. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Foundation also accepts donations through its website at fc-sf.org.