McConihe area fire caused by welding accident

MOSES LAKE — Firefighters responded to a roughly 100-acre grass fire Thursday at around 4 p.m. that put 60 homes at risk and damaged two outbuildings before it was brought under control. 

“A local property owner had hired a welding company to fix a trailer and they accidentally ignited the fire with a cutting torch,” said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

GCSO and the firefighting agencies are not seeking punitive actions against those who accidentally started the fire, he said. Wind was a significant factor in the fire spreading quickly and a Level 3 evacuation notice indicating the need to immediately leave was issued for homes in the area. 

The fire was generally under control and in mop up by 4:30 p.m., though area residents were asked to stay away due to the number of fire apparatus on the nearby roadways. One or two outbuildings had been lost, but no homes, Foreman said. 

Grant County Fire District 5 was the primary firefighting agency on the scene. 

Editor's Note: This story has been updated and revised throughout after all available information was gathered.