Extension cord may have caused Kennewick garage blaze, firefighters say
A detached garage at a home on the 500 block of South Edison Street went up in flames Thursday afternoon.
Investigators are eyeing an extension cord and outlet as the possible cause of the blaze, but the case remains under investigation and the cause undetermined.
Kennewick firefighters discovered the structure after responding to an emergency call of a residential structure fire shortly after 12:30 p.m.
“Firefighters stretched fire hoses from their vehicles parked on the street to behind the home and began to attack the fire in the structure from the house,” reads a news release from the Kennewick Fire Department.
“Additional crews searched the primary residence and determined nobody was home at the time of the fire. The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes of firefighters arriving,” it continued.
Firefighters removed flammable containers of gasoline and other substances away from the building to prevent further flares.
No injuries were reported, and no animals were missing, according to the department.
Units from Benton County Fire District 1, Pasco Fire Department, Kennewick Police Department and Chaplain Services Network were also dispatched.
Kennewick firefighters are reminding homeowners about responsible use of extension cords and heating appliances:
- Never use an extension cord with a major appliance because they can overheat.
- Do not overload power strips.
- Use strips that have internal overload protection.
- Replace and do not use worn, old or damaged extension cords.
- Avoiding placing cords in spaces where they can be damaged or pinched.
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM.
