Full Notification

Maricopa, ARIZ (June 25, 2014) At 1:41pm City of Maricopa Fire crews responded to a structure fire on the 43000 block of W. Blazen Trail. Upon arrival crews found a large amount of fire and smoke coming from a two-story house. Initial reports by neighbors was that the fire was in the back rooms of the first floor. The homeowner was safely outside when crews arrived on scene.

Fire crews made entry into the front of the house and were met with high heat and heavy black smoke that was down just a few feet from the floor. Firefighters had to crawl below the smoke for search and rescue efforts and to attack the fire. Halfway through the house crews found the kitchen, dining room, and living room, all of which were fully involved with fire. Interior crews made their stand there to fight the fire, while other fire crews went to the second floor to search for victims and check for fire. A ladder truck company made their way to the roof of the structure and cut ventilation holes to release smoke and heat from the structure for the crews working interior so they could see better. There were no victims inside the structure and the aggressive, coordinated fire attack saved the structure.

The house experienced extensive fire and smoke damage and is temporarily unfit to live in. The homeowner was in the process of moving to Maricopa and the Maricopa Fire Department Volunteers are working with her to take care of any of her immediate needs.

One firefighter was transported by ambulance to the hospital due to heat related illness and is expected to make a full recovery.

Maricopa fire crews where assisted by fire personnel from Chandler, Phoenix, Casa Grande, and Ak-Chin, and medical support by Southwest Ambulance.

The City of Maricopa Fire Department would like to remind people that working smoke alarms save lives, and to check batteries and ensure they are properly functioning once a month.

For more information about smoke detectors and their association with life safety, property loss, and fire prevention please visit the provided link.
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html