Local

Couple died trying to escape fire at rural West Richland home

Police investigators remained at a house on North Harrington Road where two bodies were found after a fire. The house is about eight miles west of Richland near the Yakima River and Highway 240.
Police investigators remained at a house on North Harrington Road where two bodies were found after a fire. The house is about eight miles west of Richland near the Yakima River and Highway 240. Special to the Herald

A 73-year-old couple died trying to escape a fire at a rural West Richland home in late January.

Johnny and Angie Seaton were identified as the man and woman caught in a Jan. 30 blaze at 112726 N. Harrington Road in a rural area near West Richland.

Benton County Coroner Bill Leach said they died from smoke inhalation in what appeared to be the dining room and the living room.

Johnny Seaton lived in the Tri-Cities for 53 years and worked as a Center Point technician, according to Einan’s at Sunset funeral home.

Investigators remained at a house on North Harrington Road where two bodies were found after a fire. The house is about eight miles west of Richland near the Yakima River and Highway 240.
Investigators remained at a house on North Harrington Road where two bodies were found after a fire. The house is about eight miles west of Richland near the Yakima River and Highway 240. Scott Hunt Special to the Herald

According to reports he worked on the farm in the area. His wife, Angie Seaton, also lived in the area for much of her life.

The couple has a son who also lives in Eastern Washington, according to public records.

Details about the cause of the fire have not been made public by the West Richland Police Department.

A photo taken by the Benton County Assessor's office in March 2025 shows the house at 112726 N. Harrington Road where two bodies were discovered following an early morning fire on Jan. 30.
A photo taken by the Benton County Assessor's office in March 2025 shows the house at 112726 N. Harrington Road where two bodies were discovered following an early morning fire on Jan. 30. Courtesy Benton County Assessor

As firefighters put out the blaze they discovered the first body. A second body was discovered after the fire died down.

The fire destroyed the home, leaving only the concrete floor and the brick walls.

The home was built in 1970 and is on agricultural property owned by the estate of the late Frank Tiegs, according to property records.

Related Stories from Tri-City Herald
CP
Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW