UPDATE: MONDAY, APRIL 22.-Benton County Fire District 1 firefighters remained on scene overnight at the Lineage Logistics warehouse in Finley.
At the request of Benton County Emergency Management, the Red Cross has reopened an evacuation center at 7202 W. Deschutes Avenue in Kennewick for anyone adversely affected by the smoke or air quality in the area of the fire.
According to BCFD 1 Fire Captain Aaron Bibe, the fire is in its mop up stages, however, hot spots continue to show fire and smoke and fire crews are expected to remain on scene for the next few days. State fire assistance has been called in to assist with the fire.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on the evening of April 21, to help fight the fire at the 525,000 square foot frozen food warehouse that also burned adjacent grass and brush and threatened nearby homes, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Bowles Road between Finely Rd and S Piert Rd will remain closed according to Captain Bibe and there is no expected timeframe for when the road will re-open.
UPDATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 21 5:55p.m.
FINLEY, Wash.- The Level 3 evacuation has been completely lifted and residents are allowed to the area. A Shelter-in -Place for Finley area south of Game Road still in place.
Benton County Emergency Services suggests sheltering due to concerns over hazardous smoke; especially for those with breathing problems. Additionally, they advise turning off heating and cooling units to avoid trapping hazardous smoke outside air the home.
The Red Cross Shelter on 7202 W Deschutes Ave. in Kennewick has offered services to evacuees.
UPDATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 21 5p.m.
A shelter-in-place has been issued for the area south of Game Farm Rd. to 397/Chemical Drive.
According to the Benton County Fire District 1, the smoke caused by the fire can be hazardous to those with breathing troubles or respiratory problems.
The American Red Cross has set up services for evacuees on 7202 W Deschutes Ave, in Kennewick.
The effort to put out the fire is ongoing. Benton County Emergency Services advises that evacuees should expect to avoid the area for the next four to six hours.
UPDATE: Saturday, April 21 2:00 p.m.
The Benton County Fire District #1 has issued a Level 3 evacuation order and is asking everyone to leave the area surrounding Lineage Logistics area.
The following areas are being evacuated:
Bowled RoadPiert RoadCochran RoadFinley Road to the river
Firefighters have closed Bowles Road at Finley and are asking the public to avoid the area because they are bringing in additional water tanks.
Firefighters say they are working on a code red alert because the fires are spreading. Several cover fires have ignited as embers were carried by the wind. Crews from Franklin County, Walla Walla, Richland, the City of Kennewick, and Pasco are assisting in putting out the fire.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE:
At 5:15 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire alarm and evacuated employees at the Linage Logistics facility after smoke was reportedly coming from the freezer.
According to Benton County Fire District #1, the firm activated sprinklers, which sprayed room-temperature water over the subfreezing freezer temperatures. This created a hefty amount of frozen mist, which was easily mistaken for smoke.
Firefighters reported that they discovered several pallets burning in the freezer hallway.
The fire is ongoing, and several crews are actively assisting with ventilation. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
