Freezer unit may have sparked house fire
Firefighters believe an electrical outlet on a freezer sparked a house fire on Ashley Way in Moses Lake on Tuesday morning. The fire destroyed all of the contents inside belonging to the Beamish family.
MOSES LAKE — In the freezing cold, Kerry Beamish does not have a coat.
He only has the gray T-shirt, black sweatpants and shoes he wore the night of the house fire that destroyed his home and most of his family’s belongings.
At 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Moses Lake Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 call made by his wife, Christina, saying their house was on fire.
“My wife was up with the baby and finished folding laundry. She said she saw this weird light and woke me,” said Beamish.
By the time she woke him up, he said, he instantly knew it was a fire.
“The fire didn’t look so bad initially, but it was already going into our bedroom,” he said.
Firefighters determined the fire most likely started from an electrical source located on an outside freezer unit.
Assistant Fire Chief Brett Bastian said the fire destroyed two bedrooms and a hallway. The car parked outside, near the freezer, was completely engulfed by the fire.
No one was hurt from the fire, he said.
Moses Lake Fire Department responded to the scene with about 15 firefighters.
Firefighters used three fire trucks, salvage truck and medic and rescue unit in the fire.
Fire crews fought the fire from the outside and inside, staying at the scene for about three hours, said Bastian.
“All of the inside contents of the house was lost. The house is a total lose, it is unlivable,” said Bastian.
Beamish said the family has lived in the rented house for about six years.
“I couldn’t believe it happened to us, I’m just so worried about my kids,” he said, through tears.
The family is in the process of adopting a ten-month old and three year old from his brother, who is currently incarcerated. The family has a 14-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter of their own.
Beamish said the family had been living off of savings and unemployment checks since he was laid off from his employer, Genie about a year ago. His wife is a homemaker.
“We’ve been making do with what we have so far, but I don’t know how much more we can handle with this (fire),” said Beamish.
He said the family was able to make contact with the American Red Cross to set up clothing for the kids.
“I’m not worried about myself. I just want to get the kids safe and warm,” he said.
The family is currently staying at a nearby hotel but, unsure of the next steps.
“I just want to find a home right now. Get my family all in one place,” he said.
To donate to the American Red Cross, call 509-670-5140.
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