Several people have been displaced after two houses caught fire Sunday afternoon in Pullman. 

The displaced people are receiving help from WSU and American Red Cross, said Pullman Fire Chief Mike Heston. 

A house on Maple Street caught fire early afternoon and it ignited some surrounding bushes, Heston said. Embers from those smaller bushfires flew onto the roof of a house on Howard Street causing it to catch fire. 

Both fires are under control, but the houses have been damaged. He said the damage caused to the house on Howard Street is “pretty much total.” The house sustained fire and water damage, which was caused by firefighters extinguishing the flames. 

The house on Maple Street is burned black and has sustained structural damage.

First responders from Fire District 12 also responded to the fire. 

“[They’re] cruising down the neighborhood chasing down embers,” Heston said. 

The fires were located in an area heavily surrounded by dry bushes and grass, which can

easily ignite. The windy weather conditions also posed a threat to major spread. 

The fires are still under investigation. The Pullman Fire Department will release further information soon.