Kennewick Family Escapes House Fire Due to Alert Passerby (Hero!)

Fire officials say this could have easily been a tragedy, except for the passerby who happened to notice flames outside the home.

Kennewick fire crews were called to a home on North Yost Street and Canal Drive early Friday morning after a person driving by noticed flames outside the home.

The person, who's name is still unknown, just happened to be driving by when they saw the fire. They stopped, banged on the door and awoke the family, and helped them get out safely.

Fire officials don't know yet if the home had working smoke detectors or not, and the cause the fire is still under investigation. But Battalion Chief Tod Kreutz said if that person had not stopped, it could have been tragic, as the fire "spread very very quickly..." He also said the family was "very lucky."

Lucky, especially considering how early in the morning it was, and there's not a lot of traffic, even on Canal at that hour.  This driver just happened to be passing by and saw the flames and stopped.

Officials say the fire damaged most of the home, especially because it spread so rapidly.  We certainly hope this person who bothered to stop and help will receive the recognition they deserve!