Fire chars 40 acres near Soap Lake on Thursday

SOAP LAKE — A fire that burned about 40 acres of brush near Soap Lake on Thursday was reportedly causing by a person welding.

Grant County Fire District No. 7 responded to the fire in the area of Road B Northwest and Road 21 Northwest about 2:15 p.m. The fire was spreading when GCFD No. 7 arrived at the scene, so mutual aid from GCFD's No. 5, 7, 13, and the Ephrata Fire Department was requested and received, according to GCFD No. 13.

The fire charred about 40 acres and destroyed several old outbuildings before it was declared to be under control by crews about 3:15 p.m. There were no reported injuries and firefighters remained at the scene until about 6:20 p.m. knocking down hot spots.

— Staff report