Structure Fire Dugas Rd. at Zuni Rd.

 

Photos by Butch Meriwether: 
8          Firefighter Matt Gore attacking the flames

11        Firefighters Cody Wood and Matt Gore turn their attention to the structure that has fallen down
23        Firefighters Cody Wood and Matt Gore extinguish the remaining portion of a wall 

Narrative: 
Following five residential structure fires in July, Golden Valley Firefighters started August with a bang, being called for the sixth home fire in the last five weeks. Thursday morning just before 8:00 am, on the way into the office, Assistant Fire Chief Ted Martin spotted a column of thick black smoke rising several hundred feet into the air approximately  three miles north of Hwy-68, near Egar Road.  Martin reported the structure fire via radio, which was at the southeast corner of Dugas Rd. and Zuni Roads. Firefighters quickly connected to a fire hydrant on the way into the fire, and extinguished what was remaining of the reportedly unoccupied double-wide dwelling. Golden Valley Fire Marshal Randy Osborn is investigating the fire as suspicious because the home was reportedly abandoned and had no power. There were no injuries and the building was totally destroyed. Anyone with information should contact the fire marshal. Golden Valley Fire Officials stated none of the fires appear to be related.

Unattended Candle Causes Home Fire

 
Photos (from top):
With the remains of the structure fire next door in the background, Captain Dave Cunningham discusses what was discovered after extinguishing the fire

Firefighters exit the home in the background while Captain Dave Cunningham discusses cleanup efforts

Firefighters (left to right) Matt Gore and Bryon Kimber exit the structure after extinguishing the fire

Chief O’Donohue discusses the recent rash of neighborhood fires with across the street neighbor

Narrative:

An unattended candle in a Golden Valley home started a fire, which Firefighters quickly extinguished, Sunday afternoon at 3873 N. Bowie Road. Ironically, this fire was next door to a fire that occurred just weeks before. The son of the owner was home at the time of the incident and did the right thing, according to Battalion Chief David Martin. Martin said; “He ran next door to the neighbors to report the fire”. Neighbors called 911 and reported the fire while keeping the young man away from the home. Arriving firefighters reported nothing showing when they arrived, however upon entering the home, discovered smoke from floor to ceiling. Crews confirmed there were no occupants still inside the home, and extinguished the fire in the main living area. Fire Marshal Randy Osborn was called to conduct the final investigation, confirming the point of origin was indeed a 10-inch candle. Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue reports that candle fires account for a significant amount of fires in the home, advising candles should never be left unattended. There were no injuries from this fire reported, and damage was kept to a minimum due to quick reporting to 911 and swift actions of firefighters.

Exploding Gasoline Can Destroys Pickup Truck

Exploding Gasoline Can Destroys Pickup Truck

PHOTO:Firefighter-Paramedic James Childers extinguishes fire in the cab. 

NARRATIVE:
July 17th 2013, at approximately 5:10 pm, Golden Valley Firefighters extinguished a truck fire that reportedly began as an exploding gasoline can inside the pickup truck. After the first gasoline can exploded, the fire quickly spread and engulfed the late model Dodge pickup truck. A second gasoline can, which also exploded and was found approximately 50-feet from the pickup, started a grass and brush fire. Black smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters responded to the area of Tombstone and Chemehuevi Roads. The truck is a total loss, and there were no injuries according to Golden Valley Fire Battalion Chief David Martin. The cause is under investigation.

Midnight Fire Destroys Golden Valley Home

Photos:

Pic #5 (top):         The scene when firefighters arrives minutes after dispatch
Pic#11 (center):         Molten Magnesium metal explodes, sending molten metal across property
Pic #27 (bottom):        Captain Boyd Lewis and FF Gifford work through debris to extinguish fire 
Narrative:

Golden Valley Firefighters were busy beginning at the stroke midnight Sunday night when they were dispatched to a fully-involved structure fire in the 1300 block of South Dugas Road. When firefighters were dispatched, they could immediately see the flames from as far away as 10-miles. The first arriving fire engine reported a fully-involved structure fire with exposures. “The home, garage type structure and contents were well involved despite a rapid response,” reported Assistant Chief Ted Martin. Firefighters worked on extinguishment operations until about 4:00 am, assuring all the hot spots were eliminated. In all, 13 fire personnel responded to extinguish the blaze. The home is considered a total loss, although other structures on the property were spared. There were no injuries and the fire is under investigation.