Stucture Fire With Injuries

Golden Valley Fire responded to a structure fire at 3597 South Flint Road on Wednesday at 3:24 pm.  Firefighters discovered a fully involved 66-foot long mobile home, travel trailer and Toyota pickup truck.  The 72 year old male resident stated he accidentally ignited a towel and the fire spread so quickly once he exited the structure he couldn’t stop it, burning him around the face and chest in the process.  The resident was unable to call 911 since his cell phone was still inside the home, so the fire wasn’t reported until a neighbor saw the home well involved in flames.  Captain Duane Dunn reported smoke was visible 10-miles away as soon as the fire was dispatched.  The home is considered a total loss and is still under investigation by the Golden Valley Fire Marshal.  The 72 year old occupant was treated and transported to KRMC for burns received trying to extinguish the fire.  A total of 10 firefighters responded to the scene.

School Bus vs. Vehicle Accident

Golden Valley Fire was dispatched to a School Bus versus vehicle accident today at 7:19 am on Hwy-68 at Teddy Roosevelt Road.  Golden Valley Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue reported the school bus from Kingman Unified School District was transporting students at the time.  Chief O’Donohue reported there were a total of 26 people involved in the accident. Of the 26 persons involved, 23 teenage students were on the school bus at the time of the accident. Golden Valley Paramedics triaged all students and 9 were transported to KRMC by AMR and 15 persons refused transport. The driver of the bus was also transported for unreported injuries. The driver of the Chevy Cavalier was killed in the accident, and a child passenger in front seat was transported to KRMC for evaluation for possible critical injuries. Chief O’Donohue reportedly utilized 6 ambulances, two fire engine companies and three command officers for 11 total fire personnel on scene.

Fire Restrictions Lifted

Golden Valley Fire Department will be lifting fire restrictions in the fire district as of Monday September 19, 2011 at 8:00 a.m.

Sufficient moisture has been received throughout the Golden Valley area making fire restrictions no longer necessary. Captain David Martin greatly appreciates the public's cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human caused wildfires within the fire district during this summer's drought conditions.

Residents are still required to obtain a Burn Permit when conducting a burn and must follow EPA regulations prohibiting the burning of any household trash or waste. Camp fires do not require a permit, however residents are asked to give the fire department courtesy call prior to enjoying their camp fires.

For information on open burning requirements call (928)565-3479, or visit our website at www.gvfdaz.com  

Remember only you can prevent wildfires.         

Golden Valley Fire purchases Eagle Academy

PHOTO:

Firefighters Bryon Kimber and Kevin Gifford put to use their firefighting skills at the old Eagle Academy School facility purchased by Golden Valley Fire.

Golden Valley Fire officials announced they have purchased the Eagle Academy School at 423 S. Colorado Road.  After the Eagle Academy closed its doors several years ago, the building has stood empty while investors tried to sell the nearly 13,000 square foot building which contains three classrooms, offices, conference room and a full gymnasium and the 10 acres it occupies.  The property had been on the market for more than 15 months with an asking price of nearly $700,000.  Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue said the firefighters have been using the empty parking area for monthly Multi-Company Operations and driver training.  O’Donohue continued; “The central location for training and the safety offered to the firefighters from not operating on the roadway made this the perfect training grounds”.  The Fire District considered purchasing the property in May of 2011, but stopped the process due to the price.  “We kept a close eye on the property since it was nearly the perfect location, size and now the price”.  As the price continued to drop on the foreclosed property, the Board of Directors reconsidered and authorized the fire chief to negotiate within specific parameters.  The final negotiated price was $125,000 dollars, a fraction of what it cost to construct just the building.  The Fire District plans on utilizing the building and 10 acres for their training facility and making this a community building where organizations can use a larger meeting room.  “The hub of many community functions is often the fire department, and we want to be an even bigger part of our community,” O’Donohue continued.  Future plans in the works are to expand into a regional training facility utilizing grant funding and invite instructors from the National Fire Academy that can teach at the facility that require both indoor and outside venues.

Runaway Car Fire

Golden Valley Firefighters check for hot-spots after extinguishing a runaway car fire on Thursday afternoon at 3:52 pm.  The driver, Charles Wallace from Phoenix was driving eastbound on Hwy-68 when he smelled smoke and noticed his van was on fire.  When the driver attempted to stop at the U-Haul facility on Kirkland Road off of Hwy-68, he realized his brakes failed as well.  The driver went thru the open gate at the U-Haul storage lot and came to a stop when his van was impaled by the hitch of a pleasure boat stored on site.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, saving the boat and U-Haul truck parked alongside the van that was on fire.  The fire appears to have begun from a ruptured transmission line, possibly igniting the fluid that spilled onto hot exhaust pipes.  The 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager van is considered a total loss.