KENNEWICK — A series of thunderstorms sparked fires and knocked down trees and power lines throughout the Columbia Basin.
A direct lightning strike to a home in Richland on Monday night ignited the house, causing heavy damage.
The Tri-City Herald reports that a Pasco police officer had a close call when a lightning bolt struck the ground near his patrol car, with his dashcam capturing the blast.
Late Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service sent out a red-flag warning for the entire lower Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon.