9 injured in house fire, 1 shot in Phoenix area

PHOENIX — A deadly house fire and a shooting brought sheriff’s deputies, police and fire crews to the West Valley early Thursday morning, sending nine people to the hospital.

A man inside the house, Steve Krzyzewski, 73, died in the hospital after being critically injured.

Among the injured was a suspect shot by the homeowner, who told police he caught man trying to set the house on fire. A firefighter was injured in the blaze near 75th Avenue and Greenway Road.

Here is a view of the House fire that resulted in the closure of N & SB 75th Avenue between T-Bird & Greenway pic.twitter.com/7CQJeNg5oA

— Detour Dan (@DetourDanKTAR) April 7, 2016

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said the unidentified homeowner told them he caught a masked man setting the house on fire with a blowtorch around 2 a.m.

The homeowner shot the man, who managed to run away. He later showed himself to firefighters for treatment of his gunshot wound.

Several deputies and firefighters also were being treated for smoke inhalation and one for a burn. Sheriff’s Officer Courtney Palma said those injuries weren’t life-threatening.

At least one person inside the house was found unconscious.

Palma said authorities were just beginning to piece together circumstances of what happened. She said they weren’t sure whether the suspect knew anyone in the house.

MCSO investigating house fire w injuries in Peoria. 75th Ave from Country Gables to Acoma will be closed most of the day for investigation.

— Officer Palma (@OfficerPalma) April 7, 2016

Authorities closed 75th Avenue in both directions between Thunderbird and Greenway roads.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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