Tri-Cities man severely burned fighting July 4 fire at his family’s business

A young West Richland man who tried to put out a fire the night of July 4 at his family’s Kennewick mini storage business is at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle being treated for severe burns.

Trevin Hansen climbed onto a roof of one of the storage buildings at Badger Mountain Mini Storage, thinking he could put out a small fire he could see on its top, according to a GoFundMe started to help with expenses as he is treated.

“What he didn’t realize was he would fall through the roof from damage and that there possibly seemed to have been flammable items inside,” the fundraiser post said.

He was trapped inside until locks could be cut off the door.

The mini storage business is at 107515 E. Reata Road just north of Interstate 82.

At Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, doctors found 65% of Hansen’s body burned, mostly from his waist up, including his face.

He was lifeflighted to Harborview, accompanied by his mother, Julie Hansen.

Doctors estimated he will likely need to spend at least 100 days under medical care, but that being young and healthy will help his recovery, said the fundraiser started by his mother’s friend, Kori Barnett.

In addition to burns, he has damaged lungs from smoke inhalation.

Surgeons removed dead skin from his arms and back to remove dead skin Saturday night.

Sunday Barnett reported that he was partially off sedation and responsive, but on a ventilator.

Another surgery may be needed on Monday, according to the GoFundMe post.

The fundraiser will help defray costs not only for Trevin Hansen, but also for his mother’s travel, food and lodging in Seattle.

“What makes this even harder is last year, around this time, Julie lost her husband to a sudden heart attack,” Barnett posted. “Times have already been rough for the family.”

The GoFundMe is posted at bit.ly/3Itzm1g.

As of noon Sunday about $14,000 had been raised toward a $20,000 goal.

Tri-Cities firefighters responded to dozens of fires the night of July 4 and information about the Badger Mountain Mini Storage fire was limited on the weekend. Multiple fire engines were dispatched to the fire.