KENNEWICK — A brush fire that burned about 1,000 acres and threatened dozens of homes Tuesday south of Kennewick was started by a model rocket.
Devin Helland of Benton County Fire District 1 told KVEW a hobbyist fired off the rocket and it landed in an open field. The fire spread quickly in dry conditions and winds.
Flames came close to several homes and about 10 were temporarily evacuated. Firefighters protected more than 50 homes and none were damaged.
