Fireworks burn homes, vehicles

MOSES LAKE — Fireworks are responsible for starting a fire, leading to the destruction of three homes and eight vehicles on Beale Avenue in Moses Lake early Sunday morning.

 “We had a report of fireworks from displays going off in the neighborhood,” said Grant County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Bruce Gribble. “We figured a spark got into the bushes from that.”

The fire began in the brush outside of the first home. Gribble said the fire spread from the first home to the second, where it moved along a connected carport to start the third home on fire.

The investigation focused on the where the fire started, according to Gribble. The origin was a juniper bush near the first home. He said they spoke to residents and witnesses to help determine how it began.

“Looking at the fire scene, there was something that led me to believe something happened in those bushes,” said Gribble. “You focus on the point of origin. The other buildings were just victims of the fire … It got into the attic of the house and spread quite quickly and jumped across to the home next door.”

As the fire burned, it destroyed eight vehicles. Initial reports indicated there was seven cars burnt, but after the fire was extinguished it became clear a car, van, SUV, motorcycles and a motorized trike were destroyed by fire, according to Barbara Maier, Grant County Fire District 5 public information officer.

The third home was originally listed as heavily damaged, but further inspection revealed it was a total loss, she said.

A total of 26 firefighters from Grant County Fire District 5 worked to combat the fire with help from Moses Lake Fire Department and Ephrata Fire Department. Grant County Fire District 4, in Warden, cover district 5 while firefighters were busy.

All three residences were occupied by families. There were no injuries. They were assisted by the American Red Cross, said Maier.

“District 5 did a good job,” Gribble added.