From Thursday night (7/23) through Friday morning (7/24) the Yuma Fire Department responded to several significant incidents.
Shortly after 9:00 pm a fire was reported at 17th Street and Madison Avenue. Arriving YFD personnel found several pieces of furniture on fire in front of 1701 South Madison Avenue. The fire was extinguished but it had already destroyed two couches and done minor damage to the home’s exterior. This fire is being investigated by both fire and police as a possible arson. There were no injuries.
Shortly before 11:00 pm YFD personnel were called to the scene of a traffic crash on 32nd Street and Avenue 5E. Arriving personnel found the semi-truck and passenger vehicle involved in the crash to be completely on fire. The fire was extinguished but both vehicles were completely destroyed. Four occupants of the semi had escaped the vehicle after the crash and later refused treatment. The passenger vehicle had one occupant, the driver, who was deceased. The crash is being investigated by the Yuma Police Department.
At 1:45 am a fire was reported in the area of the Greyhound Park, 4000 South 4th Avenue. Arriving YFD units found flames and smoke coming from a large structure (once used as a kennel) and surrounding debris. The fire was extinguished but firefighters encountered downed live power lines and high winds. Significant damage was done to the structure, but it was contained to the immediate area of the initial fire. There were no injuries. The fire was believed to have originated at the power pole, which was also on fire.
At 5:15 am heavy smoke was reported in the area of 16th Street and 9th Avenue. Arriving YFD personnel found the source of the smoke to be coming from a home in the 1400 block of 9th Avenue. Smoke and flames were coming from the home at 1425 South 9th Avenue. Firefighters extinguished the fire. The home was not occupied. Significant damage was done to the property, but it did not spread to nearby homes. Fire and Police Department personnel are investigating. There were no injuries.
