Boy playing with matches starts Kennewick house fire

A boy playing with matches started a fire that destroyed a Kennewick home for recovering addicts.

The seven women and six children living at 8021 Hood Ave. were displaced by the Wednesday fire.

Fire officials say a boy admitted to playing with matches below the wooden deck behind the home. He failed to fully extinguish the fire and it spread to the deck.

Three adults and four children were in the home when it caught fire. No one was injured.

The fire caused about $180,000 in damage.

Jason Bliss, outreach services manager for Oxford House, which manages the recovery house program, said the residents have found temporary housing, but they have to start their lives completely over, needing everything from furniture to diapers.

“They lost everything,” he said. “They don’t have a stitch of clothing — nothing.”

The 13 people living in the home had been there for about four months, Bliss said.

Anyone able to donate items such as furniture, women and children’s clothing, hygiene products or baby items, such as diapers and formula, can call Bliss at 509-430-1155.

Those wanting to make a financial contribution can go to any Banner Bank branch and donate to the J. Harding Fire Assistance Fund by asking to make a deposit to account No. 2506096611.

Fire officials aren’t recommending the boy be charged in connection with starting the fire and instead be required to participate in a Juvenile Fire Academy intervention program.

The house was insured and a claim has been filed and Oxford House plans to rebuild, Bliss said.

Oxford Houses of Washington owns and operates 24 homes in the Tri-Cities aimed at providing drug- and alcohol-free environments for recovering addicts and their families. Residence is voluntary and many move into the homes just after completing a treatment program, Bliss said.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Boy playing with matches starts Kennewick house fire."