Attic fire forces family of 4 to flee their Tri-Cities home into the cold

A suspected electrical fire forced a family of four out of their Pasco home Sunday afternoon.

The family members noticed smoke coming from the attic of the house at 209 W. Shoshone St. about 12:15 p.m., and fled outside, Pasco’s Deputy Chief Tim Harkins told the Tri-City Herald. It was about 35 degrees at the time.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the side of the home and flames in the attic, according to a news release.

Fire crews got to the fire quickly but had to tear a hole in the ceiling to reach the flames. The fire, smoke and water damage to house forced the family to live somewhere else until it can be repaired, said the release. No one was hurt.

Franklin County Fire District 3 and the Kennewick Fire Department helped with extinguishing the fire. Pasco also received help from Franklin PUD and Pasco police.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but initial indications point to an electrical issue around a heating and cooling unit in a corner of the attic.

The Pasco firefighter foundation gave the family a child’s car seat and diapers to replace some damaged in the blaze. The American Red Cross also is helping the family, said the release.