Yakima, Washington – Lightning Storm Causes Fires in Two Houses

Yakima, Washington (July 23, 2019) – A lightning storm over West Valley on Tuesday night caused a fire in two separate homes that were struck by lightning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.

Crews from the Wet Valley Fire-Rescue were first called to a home in West Valley, and were also dispatched to house in Cottonwood Canyon. According to officials, the first house was okay, and the second house sustained some damage due to a significant attic fire. However, crews were able to contain the fire and the house sustained water and smoke damage. According to the report, all four stations of West Valley Fire-Rescue were active overnight to fight the fires started by the lightning.

About Fire

The dangers of fire cannot be underestimated – the US Fire Administration has recorded 15 home fire fatalities this year within Washington.  While the cause of the fire in this particular case is a lightning storm, more common causes can be present within the home. Statistics from the NFPA have recorded that cooking equipment were the leading cause of home structure fires, home fire injuries, as well as being the second leading case of home fire deaths. Additionally, smoking materials are the leading case of home fire deaths, though it isn’t always the case every year. Always handle fire with wariness and see to it that fires are always extinguished after use. Remember also to assess the area where fire is going to be used and see to it that complete fire safety is practiced at all times.

Aside from cooking equipment and smoking materials, electrical causes remain to be one of the top causes for home fires according to the NFPA. Their Electrical Fire Reports to the U.S Fire Department since 2000 estimates around 45,000 to 55,000 cases of home fires being caused by electrical malfunction every year. Annual losses due to electrical fire result in 455 civilian deaths, 1, 500 civilian injuries and 1.5 billion of dollars in direct property damage. From these statistics, the risk from electrical fire is very real and should not be underestimated. As for the accidents themselves, the NFPA lists 63 percent involved wiring and related equipment, 74 percent cited some sort of electrical failure or malfunction, and wire or cable insulation was the first item ignited in 32 percent of electrical distribution or lighting equipment home structure fires. From these cases, one must always review and identify potential fire hazards and fix them to avoid damages, injuries or deaths.

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Note: The locations of the fire has not been specified.