Two dead in early morning Moses Lake house fire
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 day AGO
Two people were killed when a fire destroyed a residence near Miller Drive Northwest in Moses Lake early Wednesday morning.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | January 7, 2026 5:45 PM
MOSES LAKE — Identification is pending for two people killed in an early-morning fire Wednesday in Moses Lake.
Moses Lake Fire Department Chief Art Perillo said the fire was reported about 1:50 a.m. near the intersection of Miller Drive Northeast and Highland Drive Northeast. The report said people were still inside the residence, he said. Crews from MLFD and Grant County Fire District 5 responded.
“Upon arrival, crews found the residence heavily involved in fire and immediately initiated fire suppression and search operations,” Perillo wrote in a press release. “While crews were able to bring the fire under control quickly, two occupants were found deceased inside the home. Two additional occupants were able to escape the residence.”
Tim Catlin, death investigator with the Grant County Coroner’s Office, said autopsies of the victims are scheduled for Thursday. Identifications of the victims will be released later in the week, Catlin said.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and still under investigation, Perillo said.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Victims identified in fatal Moses Lake house fire
MOSES LAKE — The victims in an early-morning house fire in Moses Lake Wednesday have been identified. Tim Catlin, death investigator with the Grant County Coroner’s Office, said the victims were Nikki Leggett, 30, and Zaccari Miller, 29. “The cause of death for both is going to be asphyxia due to inhalation of smoke,” Catlin said.
Williams named interim city administrator in Othello
OTHELLO — Finance Director Spencer Williams will be appointed as interim city administrator while Othello city officials look for a permanent replacement. Mayor Ken Johnson said the search is just getting started.
Seven Basin school districts to run EP&O levies in February
EPHRATA — Voters in seven Columbia Basin school districts will be asked to accept or reject educational programs and operations levy proposals in a special election Feb. 10. Ephrata voters will decide on a construction bond in the Ephrata School District, and Warden district patrons will consider a proposal for technology improvements. Votes must be postmarked by Feb. 10, and mailing them at the post office on Election Day doesn’t guarantee that, said Ben Rodwell, elections deputy with the Grant County Auditor’s Office. “I would say (mail the ballot) at least a week early,” Rodwell said. “I wouldn’t recommend mailing it the day of the election.”