Early morning fire heavily damages West Richland home
An early morning residential fire heavily damaged a West Richland home Sunday, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes while firefighters battled the blaze for more than three hours.
Firefighters were dispatched at 2:11 a.m. to a two-story single-family home in the 5200 block of Jacksnipe Court. Benton County Fire District 4 crews responded with assistance from West Richland police officers and Benton County sheriff’s deputies.
One occupant safely evacuated the home, and no injuries were reported to the resident, neighboring residents or firefighters, according to Duty Chief Bonny Rogers.
The fire appeared to begin in the attached garage before extending into the home and attic space, Rogers said. Firefighters cut ventilation openings in the roof to reach fire that had spread through the attic and used hose lines to extinguish flames hidden above the ceiling.
A vehicle parked inside the garage was destroyed in the fire. Rogers said the garage was a total loss, and the home sustained significant damage throughout the structure. Firefighters also used thermal imaging cameras to locate hot spots inside walls and floors during overhaul operations.
The home is located in a cul-de-sac, and neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution while crews battled the fire. One neighbor said firefighters and police officers woke residents by knocking on doors before she discovered flames shooting from the garage and roof of the nearby home.
Firefighters remained at the scene for about 3½ hours, extinguishing the fire and completing overhaul operations.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Rogers said investigators will determine the fire’s origin and the full extent of the damage.
Rogers said the fire was one of numerous calls crews responded to during an exceptionally busy Fourth of July shift, with firefighters handling incidents throughout the day and overnight.
~ Scott Hunt is a local photojournalist and writer who contributes regularly to the Tri-City Herald.