Electrical fire damages long-standing Pasco motel

PASCO, Wash.-- Several people were displaced from their lodgings early Saturday morning after a fire broke out at a motel in Pasco.

The Pasco Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from the building at 4th and W. Columbia at about 1:00 a.m., and arrived to find smoke coming from the back of the building and the roofline.

Pasco Deputy Fire Chief Ed Dunbar told Newsradio 610 KONA that fire appeared to have started in the wall between two units on the lower level, and worked its way up the wall and to the roof.

Dunbar said the fire was likely caused by an electrical issue, and no one was hurt.

"This is an unintentional fire, not suspicious at all, at this point in time we have no reason to believe any suspicious activity is related to the fire," Dunbar said.

Franklin PUD responded to the scene to cut off electricity to the building, and it took crews about two hours to make sure the fire was fully extinguished.

The fire caused direct damage to four units. However, the occupants of the motel, many of whom live at the 55-year old building, were displaced because the electricity cannot be restored at this time.

The Red Cross responded to the scene to help find temporary lodging for those who need it.

Crews from Benton County Fire Dist. 1, Kennewick Fire Department, Franklin County Fire Dist. 3, and Walla Walla County Fire Dist. 5 all responded to help with the fire.