Yuma Fire Department responds to three different fires in one night

VIDEO: The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to three fires during the late night hours on Monday. In a press release, the first fire took place in the area of South 15th Avenue and West Fifth Street at around 9:00pm when a palm tree caught on fire due to fireworks. When firefighters arrived, YFD says they found three palm tress "fully engulfed" in the backyard of a house. Fortunately, YFD says the fires were put out and neighboring homes were protected from the fire. The palm trees were put out as well. Homeowners were said to have temporarily evacuated from their homes as a precaution, but were able to return to their homes once the fires were put out. Following the palm tree fire, YFD says firefighters responded to the area of East 45th Street when a garage was caught on fire.
KYMA-DT CBS/NBC 11 Yuma

Underground explosion sends manhole covers flying from Paradise Valley roadway

An investigation is underway after an explosion blew two manhole covers from a street in Paradise Valley on Tuesday morning. Phoenix firefighters responded to reports of a small explosion in the area of 37th Street and Lincoln Drive around 9:45 a.m. When crews arrived, they found two manhole covers lying on the roadway. APS crews were also dispatched and determined the explosion happened in an underground electrical vault and that there was no active fire. As a precaution, Phoenix Fire hazardous materials teams checked the area for signs of a natural gas leak and found no problems. Fire officials say that no area homes or businesses lost power due to the incident. Eastbound Lincoln Drive was closed between 37th and 40th streets during the APS investigation into what caused the explosion.
KTVK-TV CBS 3 & KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix (AZ Family)

Buckeye Fire-Medical Rescue Department Secures $51,000 Grant

The Buckeye Fire-Medical Rescue Department (BFMRD) is thrilled to announce its successful bid for a grant totaling over $51,000 from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The grant funds will be allocated toward the acquisition of state-of-the-art, battery-powered extrication equipment. This addition to our cache will bolster our existing resources, equipping our dedicated personnel with the tools to expedite rescue operations during critical incidents. The acquisition of this reliable and modern equipment underscores our commitment to delivering prompt, life-saving services when it matters most. Swift and efficient patient extrication from vehicles following major accidents is paramount to mitigating injury severity and enhancing overall survivability.
City of Buckeye

Tucson Fire Department battles blaze in apartment complex

Twenty-four firefighters battled a blaze in one of the units at the Harrison Park Apartments Monday afternoon. Fire crews were dispatched at about 2:30 p.m. to the apartments at 350 N. Harrison Road, north of East Broadway. Crews arrived to find fire "pouring out the front door of one unit," according to a post on TFD's X feed. Firefighters evacuated residents in adjacent units. The fire was put out within 12 minutes with no reported injuries to TFD personnel, the post said. The apartment was reported vacant and no other occupants were displaced. The investigation is ongoing.
KGUN-TV ABC 9 Tucson

HAZMAT situation prompted road closure, school evacuation in North Phoenix

Fire officials say a North Phoenix intersection is back open, following a crash earlier on April 15 that resulted in a HAZMAT situation and prompted road closures and evacuations. Per an updated statement, Phoenix Fire officials said they responded at around 10:30 a.m. for a crash in the area of 27th Avenue and Northern that involved a vehicle striking a high pressure natural gas main in the area. "Crews immediately recognized the gas main had been ruptured, prompting them to balance the incident to a hazardous materials response. Hazardous Materials team members from Phoenix and Glendale Fire Departments evacuated and metered surrounding buildings approximately a quarter of a mile in all directions," read a portion of the statement.
KSAZ-TV FOX 10 Phoenix

Kids with autism build bond with Tempe firefighters

VIDEO: April is National Autism Month, and a Valley therapy provider is making emergencies less stressful for kids with autism. According to the CDC, one in 36 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. On Monday, firefighters took time to build a bond with the kids to help them in case they were ever involved in an emergency. The kids had big smiles on their faces as they ran outside Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center to see a Tempe firetruck. The center’s workers say it is important for kids with autism to have a positive connection with first responders. Kids ages two to 10 at the center got to meet Tempe firefighters and learn about their jobs. The center called Monday, First Responder Day.
KTVK-TV CBS 3 & KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix (AZ Family)