A West Richland elementary is helping family of 5 after fire damages their home

A West Richland family of five was forced out of their home by a fire Tuesday afternoon.

A neighbor spotted flames and black smoke coming from a bedroom window in the front of the house at 4726 Daisy Street shortly before 3:15 p.m., Benton County Fire District 4 Capt. Bob Shannon told the Tri-City Herald.

District 4 firefighters got to the scene within three minutes and began putting water on it. Shannon said they were able to get inside within 10 minutes.

While firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading, there was heavy smoke and fire damage.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but it’s believed to have started in a bedroom.

Firefighters from Richland and Benton County Fire District 2 helped extinguish the blaze.

No one was home at the time, Shannon said.

The family includes two parents and three children, including a baby, according to a post shared on the West Richland residents Facebook group.

“Their first priorities right now are for food and clothing,” said the post from Wiley Elementary, where one of the kids is a student. “If anyone is able to donate items or gift cards for them to get through these next few weeks I know it would be greatly appreciated.”

The family is looking for clothing in girls size 7 and size 9-12 months, and boys clothing in size 5T.

They also need food that can be prepared in a hotel room.

The parents need clothing or gift cards.

They also need shoes for a boy in size 11, girls size 1 or 2, women’s size 10 and men’s size 10.5 or 11.

The donations can be dropped off at Wiley Elementary School at 2820 S. Highlands Blvd. in West Richland.