Two fires keep Kennewick first responders busy

KENNEWICK – Two separate fires, a commercial structure fire and an apartment fire, just 40 minutes apart kept the Kennewick Fire Department and mutual aid agencies busy Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were dispatched to a blaze at a metal shop at 1328 East Third Avenue at 12:09 p.m. Everyone made it out of the building safely and no civilians or firefighters were injured.

“Rapid notification to the fire department and a prompt response helped keep the fire contained to only a third of the building,” Fire Chief Chad Michael said.

A total of five separate businesses were impacted by the metal shop fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Then at 12:49 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to an apartment fire at 1109 South Olympia Street.

One occupant escaped the fire but suffered second-degree burns. That patient was treated by paramedics and transported to a local hospital. A second occupant suffered minor injuries and was transported via personal car to a hospital for treatment. No firefighters were injured.

An investigation into the cause is underway. The fourplex received substantial damage, leaving seven occupants displaced. The American Red Cross is assisting those individuals with temporary shelter.

Photo of apartment fire via Kennewick Fire Department

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