Published Sunday, April 21, 2024, 2015 hours PDT

Incident Summary

A large fire broke out at the Lineage Logistics Cold Storage Warehouse located in the 224900 block of Bowles Road in Kennewick (Benton County), Washington States this afternoon, prompting a Level 3 evacuation order.

The fire started around 0515 hours this morning in a freezer, according to the PIO with the Benton County Fire District #1.

About 10 employees evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived.

From the initial fire, it was said to be spotting into urban-wildland interface areas and quickly spreading which prompted evacuation orders to be given to those living around this large commercial structure. The sprinkler system activated allowing those inside to escape safely as well as assisting with some fire suppression. However, it was not strong enough to put the fire out. Firefighters were challenged by where the seat of the fire was burning and found several pallets in a freezer hallway were burning.

Due to intense and dangerous fire conditions, firefighters fought hard from the early into the late morning hours, before transitioning over into defensive fire tactics from the exterior of the building.

Mutual aid was requested by the Benton County Fire District #1 as they were looking to recycle their firefighters and equipment after fighting the fire for eight hours and counting.

Evacuations

The Benton County Emergency Management requested assistance from the American Red Cross to open a shelter for evacuees.

As of 1725 hours PDT, the American Red Cross announced a shelter had been opened in Kennewick due to the imminent concerns for the fire to spread to other structures around the warehouse.

As of 1830 hours, all evacuation orders had been lifted the ARC shelter is said to be now closed.

Cause

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office. Currently, there is no preliminary cause that has been officially released by Fire Investigators or the Fire PIO.

Photo Credit: Benton County Sheriff’s Office

Incident Cooperators

Incident Cooperators included:

  • Benton County Fire District 1 (Lead Agency)
  • Walla Walla County Fire Districts 4, 6 and 8.
  • City of Walla Walla Fire Department
  • College Place Fire Department
  • Richland Fire Department
  • City of Kennewick Fire Department
  • City of Pasco Fire Department
  • Franklin County Fire District 3
  • American Red Cross
  • Benton County Emergency Management
  • Benton County Sherriff’s Office

Closures

(L) Photo Credit: BCFD1

Multiple road and area closures have been put in place by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office as well as Fire Departments working in the area and keeping folks away from the fire ground.

Editor’s Comments

Though the Fire PIO has asked folks to stay out of the area, we know it is tempting to go down to the fire scene and take photos, but they have been asking people to stay out so emergency vehicles can have room to respond and work.

(L) Near the end of the incident. Photo Credit: BCFD1 / 4/21/2024 1920 hours PDT

Besides, whatever chemicals, construction and building materials, etc. are burning, you really want to be downwind because this can be very toxic to people and animals.

About Finley, Washington

The town of Finley was named after a pioneer settler, George E. Finley. In 1906, a U.S. Post Office was officially established but would later close in 1935. In the 2020 census, there were said to be about 6,152 residents. It is southeast of its fellow City in Benton County, Washington in an area of about 14.6 square miles. Of that total area, there are 11.5 square miles of land and 3.0 square miles of water. It is said to be part of the Kennewick-Richland and part of the larger Tri-Cities region.

The area is served by the Benton County Fire District #1 Fire Department, which in 2023, had a total of 1,861 calls with 1,109 being related to EMS and Rescue response and 752 to fire or another type of calls for service.

BE FIRE SMART

Benton County Fire District #1, Richland Public Library, and the Richland Fire & Emergency Services agencies will be hosting the 2024 Wildfire Preparedness EXPO on May 4, 2024.

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/966098578239681/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D (posted to Facebook)

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog