Fires strike two Lower Valley homes

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- An electric blanket and a space heater are suspected, but not confirmed, of causing  two separate fires that destroyed one house and damaged a second in the Lower Valley on Friday. No serious injuries were reported.

The first fire was reported about 10:32 a.m. at a house being used for storage at 3041 Sunnyside-Mabton Road, south of Sunnyside.

Nearly two dozen firefighters from five Lower Valley fire stations were called out when the double-wide manufactured home was reported burning by a passerby, according to a news release from Yakima Fire District No. 5.

Flames spread to the outside of an attached cinderblock garage, but firefighters were able to extinguish the garage fire before it spread to the inside of the building.

Firefighters said their efforts were hampered by cold weather, poor visibility, ice and other problems.

The owner said there was a space heater in the bathroom, where he suspected the fire started, however, an investigation into the cause is continuing, according to the district. Losses were estimated at $100,000.

The second fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. at 121 Arrowsmith Road, about three miles north of Sunnyside.

Owners of the two-story wood frame home noticed smoke coming from the basement and called 9-1-1 before leaving the building.

About 20 firefighters from four Lower Valley fire stations responded.

Losses were estimated at $30,000.

One person, who was not a firefighter, but who was otherwise not identified,  was examined at the scene for smoke inhalation,

According to a news release, family members said they believed the fire started in a basement bedroom where there was an electric blanket, but like the earlier fire, the cause remains under investigation.

 -- Yakima Herald-Republic staff