TRI-CITIES, Wash.-Dry, hot conditions mixed with fireworks kept local firefighters busy and resulted in several calls and multiple fires around the area on the 4th of July.
Fire districts in Benton and Franklin Counties responded to 20 fires overnight on the 4th of July.
NonStop Local will continue to update this article with 4th of July fire numbers as information becomes available.
Benton County Fire District #1 responded to 13 calls between 9:30 a.m. and 1 a.m., including one believed to have been started by fireworks off of Edison Street on W. Yellowstone Avenue.
A train passing by the fire fanned the flames, however, no structures were threatened and firefighters were able to keep the fire to about a half-acre in size, according to a BCFD1 social media post.
In Franklin County, firefighters faced similar conditions and responded to several fires.
Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Franklin County Fire District #3 responded to seven fires, including a house fire around 1 a.m.
When firefighters arrived at the house fire in the Melody Lane area flames could be seen coming from the attic area of the home and the Pasco Fire Department and Walla Walla County Fire District #5 also responded.
No one was home at the time of the fire and firefighters got it under control in about two and a half hours, according to a FCFD3 social media post.
It is unknown if fireworks caused the house fire and the official cause is under investigation.
