Full Notification

May 21st 2014

Maricopa, Ariz

On Thursday May 15th 2014 at 6:50p.m. The Maricopa Fire Department along with units from Gila River, Sun Lakes, Chandler, Goodyear, and Phoenix fire departments responded to a house fire in the 41000 block of west Thornberry Lane. When crews arrived on scene they found a large amount of smoke and fire coming from the garage of the residence, as well as fire affecting 2 vehicles parked in the driveway.

As crews began their firefight they were meet with intense heat and smoke, but worked quickly to limit the spread of the fire. After a quick and thorough search of the home revealed no potential victims were inside crews were able to aggressively attack the fire and contain it to the garage area.

An off duty Maricopa firefighter noticed a large column of black smoke as he was travelling home, proceeded to find the address of the fire, and called 911. Firefighter Anthony Fornaro arrived at the incident and found that all occupants had been evacuated, after a 16- year old neighbor alerted residents to the fire. Firefighter Fornaro then kept residents from returning in to the home to reclaim valuables and waited for responding units.

The structure had minor smoke and heat damage and a total of 3 vehicles were total loses. No firefighters or citizens were injured at this incident. The residents, that are renters of the property, have been displaced until repairs can be made and are staying with family in the same neighborhood. The American Red Cross was also at the scene to help the residents with any needs that may arise.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Deputy Fire Marshall Eddie Rodriguez noted that once the occupants were alerted to the fire they opened the interior door to the garage to confirm. Once they saw there was fire progressing through the garage they shut the door to the garage and exited the building. Rodriguez states that the closing of the interior door, ultimately, saved the house as it prevented the spread of heat and fire in to the living area before fire crews could arrive.

The Maricopa Fire Department would like to remind all residents, that should a fire start in any occupied building it is absolutely necessary to GET OUT and STAY out. Any person entering the harsh environment of a fire can quickly be overcome by the smoke and heat of the fire and become an unnecessary victim.
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