By Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
KENNEWICK, Wash. — People turned out in force to support a volunteer Benton County Fire District 1 captain after a fire burned his house while he was on vacation this week.
Donations have come in steadily since a GoFundMe fundraising campaign was started for Aaron Fryer and his wife, Rita, and their five kids.
The family was on vacation out of town when disaster struck. An electrical problem sparked a blaze in their Kennewick home near North Johnson Street and West Metaline Avenue.
A passerby spotted the smoke and called 911.
Kennewick firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the house was left with extensive heat and smoke damage and their Christmas gifts were ruined, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Michael Pena.
“This family is a strong and loving family that always has a smile to give anyone,” Pena said. “Both will do anything for their kids and it shows when you meet them.”
Aaron Fryer, who also works as a state corrections officer, has volunteered for Benton County Fire District 1 for 15 years.
He is the captain at the district’s Grant Street station, according to the fire district. The district shared the campaign and asked people to help any way they can.
“We ask that you help with any amount that you can,” Pena said. “The funds will be given to the family to help with costs to rebuild their home and living arrangements until their home is ready to return (to).”
By Thursday afternoon donations had reached $5,500.
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