Kennewick firefighters battled an RV fire at 7322 Bonney Ave. Saturday morning. The teenager escaped and his sister was hospitalized, police said.
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Kennewick, Washington
A child and teenager were rushed to the hospital in critical condition after a fire broke out in a motorhome at an RV park Saturday morning, according to the Kennewick Fire Department.
A 911 call was made shortly after 11:00 a.m. to report that a mobile home at 7322 W. Bonnie Ave. black smoke coming out and they said there was a child on top of the house on wheels.
Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find the 14-year-old had climbed out of the motorhome’s rear window with the help of bystanders.
The boy told neighbors and then police, who arrived first, that his sister, who was 8 years old, was trapped inside the burning motor home. However, according to Kennewick Police Officer Zach Gaine, the doors to the motorhome were locked, preventing immediate entry.
Arriving firefighters used a chain saw and other tools to break open the main door of the motorhome and quickly found the girl.
The brother and sister were taken to the emergency room. According to preliminary information, the 8-year-old child inhaled smoke.
Firefighters extinguished the fire for 26 minutes. Benton County Fire Department 1 and Richland Fire Department assisted.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized, according to Kennewick Fire Department officials.
Motorhomes are located nearby at st RV parking off Highway 240 and about a block from Columbia Center Blvd. But the one that burned was a total loss, according to the Kennewick Fire Department.
According to preliminary information, the cause of the fire may have been a small heater.
The Kennewick Fire Department said only that the cause of the fire was accidental and under investigation by both the fire and police departments.
Kennewick Fire officials reminded owners of recreational vehicles to stay safe the importance of maintaining working smoke alarms, carrying out routine inspections and maintenance, and reducing the risk of fires during cooking and heating in vans.
This story was originally published November 12, 2022 at 1:52 p.m.
