Tri-City radio stations hit by suspicious fire

KENNEWICK – Three Tri-City radio stations were knocked off the air by what officials are calling a suspicious fire.

The fire early Saturday burned a signal transmitter station used by KJOX (1340 AM), Power 99.1 FM and Eagle 106.5 FM, the Tri-City Herald reported.

The Kennewick Fire Department said radio technicians who arrived at the facility in Kennewick found there had been a fire inside the mechanical building and evidence of forced entry through two fences and the building.

The fire had extinguished itself by the time the technicians arrived and was limited to the inside of the brick building.

Officials said technicians were working to make repairs after significant damage was caused to electrical transmission equipment.

A message on the Eagle 106.5 Facebook page said the fire appears to be vandalism and possibly arson. The message said no one was injured.

They hoped to be back on the air later Saturday.