Lamp, heater suspected in fatal Moses Lake fire
Mother in stable condition, son released
MOSES LAKE - An electrical source is suspected to have started a fatal house fire at 4209 Moon Drive in Moses Lake Saturday.
"The investigation team has determined an origin area and identified some potential electrical causes within that area," Grant County Chief Deputy John Turley stated.
Lab analysis is being performed on remnants of a baseboard heater and halogen floor lamp, he added.
The initial investigation of the scene was concluded by Region 6 Investigation Task Force. The group is comprised of members of the Grant County Fire Marshal's Office, Grant County Fire District No. 5, Grant County Sheriff's Office, Moses Lake Fire Department, Moses Lake Police Department, Grant County Fire District No. 3, Grant County Fire District No. 13, and Grant County Emergency Management along with the Washington State Patrol detectives.
Additional details were released regarding the family's actions during the fire and their conditions.
Turley said neighbors reported fire and smoke coming from the house at 6:43 a.m. Several deputies and a Washington State Patrol trooper arrived to find Sarah M. Villarreal, 25, standing outside of the burning home holding one-year-old Lukas Villarreal.
She told the officers her husband Daniel Villarreal, 28, went back into the house to locate two more children. Dante Beltran, 7, and Natalie Beltran, 5.
"Heavy smoke and fire prevented the law officers from being able to assist with any rescue," Turley stated.
Firefighters from Grant County Fire District No. 5 arrived three minutes after the call to 9-1-1. Moses Lake Fire Department assisted with an hour-long battle to extinguish the fire.
Daniel Villarreal was located a few feet inside the backdoor by firefighters and determined to have died, stated Turley.
Flames blocked the entrance to the children's bedroom. Firefighters cut away the outside of the bedroom but were too late, said Turley.
"Natalie (Beltran) and Dante (Beltran) were found in that area where it appears they were overcome by hot gases and smoke," stated Turley.
Sarah and Lukas Villarreal were transported to Samaritan Hospital. Sarah Villarreal was later flown to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of burns and inhalation injuries from the fire. Family members told the sheriff's office Sarah Villarreal is in stable condition and Lukas was released from the hospital on Sunday.
Account created for fire survivors
MOSES LAKE - Friends and family of the Villarreals are working to organize efforts to accept donations on behalf of survivors Sarah Villarreal, 25, and her one-year-old son Lukas Villarreal.
An account was established at Washington Mutual Bank to accept monetary donations. Money can be can be delivered to the bank with the account number 8842599356 or in the name of Sarah and Lukas Villarreal, according to Jason Throneberry. Mailed donations are also being accepted at Washington Mutual Bank, 323 S. Division, Moses Lake, WA 98837. A receipt will be mailed back for any contributions received by mail, according to bank officials. Washington Mutual is not currently able to accept online donations.
Throneberry has a son with Sarah Villarreal. Their son was not at the home during the fire,
He said organization efforts are underway to help gather items and finding a place to store them until Sarah and Lukas Villarreal are able to accept them. He said area churches are beginning to collect donated items, such as furniture and clothing.
"It's in the beginning stages right now," said Thornberry.
- Staff report