Official: Five-alarm fire at apartment complex in Phoenix suburb was accidental
Apr 27, 2016, 12:03 PM | Updated: 12:05 pm
Video of one one the biggest structures left burning. Fire crews are just trying to protect areas around the fire. pic.twitter.com/6Wg8Y2T0wm
— Robert Hernandez (@rhernandezfox10) April 24, 2016
PHOENIX — A five-alarm fire at an under-construction apartment complex in a Phoenix suburb over the weekend was an accident, officials said.
The Gilbert Fire Department, along with investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, found the only heat source in the area was a roofing torch.
Crews took defensive positions — meaning they did not go into the buildings — to fight the fire in order to protect nearby buildings from setting on fire due to blowing embers on Saturday.
Gilbert Fire’s Gary Hildebrandt told KTAR that around 40 fire trucks were on the scene and the two- and three-story complex was only in the wood framing stages of being built.
Around 8 p.m. Saturday, fire crews evacuated homes near the blaze located at 166 E. Civic Center Dr., which is southeast of the intersection of Gilbert and Warner roads. Evacuees were asked to congregate at Gilbert’s Public Safety Amphitheater at 75 E. Civic Center Dr. Those
Those evacuees of the nearby neighborhood returned home shortly before midnight, but residents of Legacy Village Apartments remained evacuated according to Gilbert Fire Department.
Gilbert Fire’s Mike Connor told KTAR Sunday that investigators are working the scene and there is some asphalt melted because of the fire.
The wind played a large factor in the way the fire spread from one apartment building under construction to other buildings and areas. An updated total of firemen on the scene was around 120 to 140.
The city buildings did not have any fire damage.
The Gilbert Fire Department’s Twitter account reported a first-alarm fire at the site around 6:05 p.m. and upgraded it to a three-alarm fire at 6:50 p.m.
Around 9:30 p.m., more than three hours after it began, the fire stopped spreading but crews continued to put out flames.
As the fire escalated, flames caused traffic congestion and Gilbert Fire asked citizens to avoid the area. Warner Road from Gilbert to Lindsay were closed.
Hildebrandt said one firefighter suffered minor injuries but was not transported from the scene but there were no other reported injuries due to the fire.
Crews from Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and the Superstition Fire and Medical departments battled the blaze.
Red Cross Volunteers assisted eleven people who were evacuated from their apartments Saturday night. They provided hotel rooms for the families.
The fire was set east of the Gilbert Civic Center.
@12News Huge apt fire at #Gilber & Warner Rd. Prayers for safety @GilbertFireDept & all 1st responders pic.twitter.com/ry7BbmXZ6N
— Christina Mathisen (@ChristiMathi) April 24, 2016
The fire in Gilbert is being detected by weather radar. #azwx pic.twitter.com/k16Q62aAl3
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) April 24, 2016
Standing on #Gilbert Rd, colossal fire. pic.twitter.com/WVC8l0J33Z
— stevegardner (@stevegardner) April 24, 2016
.@GilbertFireDept is working an apartment complex fire near Gilbert and Warner Roads. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/n0TwHKex24
— Gilbert, Arizona (@GilbertYourTown) April 24, 2016
3rd Alarm Fire: defensive fire operations in place with embers blowing into homes. pic.twitter.com/avuLbN9pIa
— Gilbert Fire Rescue (@GilbertFireDept) April 24, 2016
Large smoke column in #Gilbert due to a fire near Warner and GIlbert Rd. View from downtown #Phoenix. #12news #azwx pic.twitter.com/RnUIhT4gwt
— Matt Pace (@MattPaceWeather) April 24, 2016
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