Arson Not Suspected in Kennewick Eye Clinic Fire

Fire officials continue to search for the cause of an early Saturday morning fire that caused extensive damage to the Kennewick Eye Clinic.

An estimated $500,000 in damage was sustained by the 2:30am fire, according to Kennewick Fire Officials.   Arson or foul play was not suspected however, because crews had to use their picks and tools to break through the doors.

  The fire is believed to have begun in an office in the Northeast corner of the structure. It spread quickly throughout the facility, and actually tripped the alarm system as fire crews arrived.

  Kevin Ayers and Jim Kintner, optomitrists at the facility, said they plan to rebuild.  A significant amount of equipment was destroyed, but company officials believe most of the digital patient records could be saved.

 Fire crews are not sure exactly what triggered the fire.