Wind Whips Embers from Controlled Burn, Destroys Shop, Haystack
Benton County fire crews had their hands full Monday night.
Besides area fires near Benton City that were triggered by power poles blown over, embers from what was said to be a controlled burn earlier in the day reignited. The fire spread to a large shop building, and it was destroyed.
The fire broke out near the intersection of Johnson and Griffin Road, about 5 miles northwest of Prosser, south of Interstate 82. When the fire rekindled, embers spread to a nearby haystack, sending it up in flames, Those flames then spread to the shop, consuming it completely. Deputies and fire crews say those conducting the controlled burn thought that blaze was completely extinguished.
No one was injured the the shop and it's contents were completely destroyed, with only the outside steel structure and roof remaining.