Dramatic Kennewick 4-plex blaze started with an electric recliner, fire officials say

Part of the power cord for an electric recliner started a devastating fire that destroyed a Kennewick four-plex and damaged a second apartment building.

The fire started shortly before 3:40 a.m. on March 13 in one of the first-floor apartments at 4120 W. Albany St., the Kennewick Fire Department said in a release this week.

People escaping the fire also left a front door and rear sliding door open as they were fleeing. And the open doors, along with 20 mph winds, fueled the flames with fresh air.

The fire department recommends people make sure their doors and windows are shut as they escape a blaze.

“Closed doors and windows limit the amount of oxygen available for a fire to burn and helps reduce the speed at which a fire can grow and spread,” Fire Chief Chad Michael said in the release.

By the time the first Kennewick firefighters arrived the Albany street address, they found the four-plex heavily involved, and the fire had spread to the roof of a neighboring building that was undergoing renovations.

Firefighters focused on keeping the fire from spreading any farther. They were joined by Richland and Pasco fire departments as well as Benton County Fire District 1.

Everyone inside the apartments made it out safely.

The Red Cross and fire chaplain were working to help the 10 people displaced by the fire.

Deana Dallas, who had lost a previous home in 2013 when a tree fell on it, was among those who lost her home and possessions. The fire started in another apartment.

Her daughter, Summer Bean, set up a GoFundMe account at bit.ly/DeanaDallasFund to help her.

This story was originally published March 23, 2022 at 5:00 AM.