Mother Killed, Daughter Hurt in Wash. House Fire
Source Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash.
Jan. 23--KENNEWICK -- Investigators still are trying to confirm the identity of the woman killed early this morning in a Kennewick mobile home fire, but believe she is the mother of the victim who escaped the blaze.
Benton County Coroner John Hansens said the resident is an Asian woman in her mid-60s, and her daughter had been spending a lot of time there. The vehicles found in front of the home are the ones both women are said to drive, he said.
A positive ID on the woman likely won't be known until the autopsy is completed Tuesday, Hansens said.
"We have X-rayed the victim and know there are some rings on her. We hope the jewelry will assist in identification," he said.
The single-wide mobile home in space 35 at 4815 W. Clearwater Ave. is owned by Elvie Pidcock, 65, according to the Benton County Assessor's Office and public records.
Neighbors also told the Herald that when they saw the woman escape through a back window, she said her mother was still inside.
The woman suffered severe smoke inhalation and burns and was taken to Kennewick General Hospital after the fire broke out around 3:20 a.m. She was later flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Hansens said.
"She has significant injuries," he said. "We have not been able to speak with her."
Kennewick fire and police investigators spent the day sifting through charred debris trying to find information to help identify the victims.
Fire Marshal Mark Yaden said the cause is still not known and the fire investigation likely won't start until Tuesday. Today's priority was on the death investigation, he said.
No other victims have been found in the home.
Anyone with information about the fire, who may have been in the area this morning or friends or family who have recently been in the home is asked to call Kennewick police or fire investigators through the non-emergency dispatch line at 628-0333.
For the full story, see Tuesday's Herald and tricityherald.com.
Copyright 2012 - Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash.
