Firefighters Rescue Child from Duplex Fire

Yakima Fire Department (YFD) firefighters rescued a child from a structure fire early this morning, Friday.

Crews were called to a fire involving a duplex in the 1200 block of South 41st Avenue at 4:48 am today. Upon searching the structure, they found the child inside a portable crib and removed him from the building. He is believed to be about two years of age.

As firefighters exited the duplex they performed mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths on the child until he could be treated at the scene by Advanced Life Systems paramedics and a YFD crew. He was transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, where he was stabilized and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

No other injuries were reported.

The fire destroyed the garages of both duplex units. In addition, there was extensive damage throughout both living units. The dollar loss is estimated at about $400,000, including the structure and its contents.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

YFD crews were on scene for approximately four hours. A total of 19 firefighters responded.

The West Valley Fire Department responded in a mutual aid capacity.