Walla Walla Fire Department responds to four suspicious fires
By Dan Thesman on Monday, August 5th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – [News release from Walla Walla Fire Department] Walla Walla Fire Department crews have responded to four fire incidents in the same general part of the city over the past day.
At 10:32 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, crews from Walla Walla Fire Station 1 and Station 2 were
dispatched to the area of Pine Street and Cayuse Street, adjacent to the eastbound lane of Highway 12, for a natural cover fire. Crews from Walla Walla County Fire District 4 also responded as part of a mutual-aid agreement.
The first arriving unit arrived to find an estimated quarter-mile fire line south of the highway.
Firefighters immediately went to work to extinguish the fire, which appeared to have originated at
multiple places. Firefighters had the fire under control at 11 p.m. and spent the next hour doing mopup work to ensure the fire was extinguished.
At 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, crews from Walla Walla Fire Station 1 and Station 2 were
dispatched to North 12 th Avenue between Paine Street and Moore Street for a report of explosions and flames.
The first arriving unit arrived to find approximately a 50-by-100-foot fire inside a fenced enclosure.
Firefighters immediately went to work to extinguish the fire, which appeared to have originated at
multiple places within the enclosure. Firefighters had the fire under control at 1:45 a.m. The fire burned several vehicles and car parts. The estimated value loss is $10,000 to $15,000.
At 7:15 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, crews from Walla Walla Fire Station 1 and Station 2 were
again dispatched to the fenced enclosure, this time for a report of a structure fire.
The first arriving unit arrived to find a semi trailer used to store car parts had apparently been set on fire. Firefighters immediately went to work to extinguish the fire, and had it under control by 8 a.m.
At 10:23 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, crews from Walla Walla Fire Station 1 and Station 2 were
dispatched to the same location as the Aug. 4 response for an apparent rekindling of that fire.
Firefighters immediately went to work to extinguish the fire, and had it under control at 10:40 a.m.
There were no injuries sustained to firefighters during any of the incidents.
The causes of these fires are unknown but they are highly suspicious in nature. The Walla Walla Fire Department is asking residents in the area to be vigilant. Anyone who sees suspicious activity or things that seem out of place is asked to call dispatch at 509-527-1960.
Photo of fire on North 12th Avenue via Kevin Donovan
