Assistant Fire Chief Ted Martin reports Golden Valley firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire 1449 Don Luis Rd. approximately 4:30 PM Saturday February 25th. Firefighters were confronted by smoke coming from the center of the structure, with two neighbors utilizing a garden hose, on the roof attempting to extinguish the fire. Firefighters were able to quickly advance a hose-line to bring the fire under control and to keep fire damage to a minimum. There was nobody home at the time of the fire. According to Fire Marshal Randy Osborn, the cause of the fire was due to an overloaded appliance. Because of the quick action of the firefighters the loss was kept to a minimum. This is the second fire within the same block within a two-week period, however the fires are unrelated. 

Suspicious Structure Fire

Assistant Chief, Ted Martin, reports that Golden Valley firefighters responded to a Structure Fire at 4568 N. Eden Road at 6:25 AM Wednesday February15, 2012 and discovered the residence fully-involved. Flames could be seen from several miles away upon dispatch to the incident. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and damage was extensive to the entire structure and the building and contents are considered total loss. There was nobody reported at home at the time of the fire according to the homeowner.  The cause of this fire is considered suspicious at this time and currently under investigation by the Golden Valley Fire Marshal. This address was also the scene of a structure fire in November of 2011. Firefighters were efficient in a quick attack, and extinguishment and protecting exposures. 

Vehicle Fire Appears To Be Homicide

A Golden Valley Firefighter Paramedic interviews with MCSO and DPS officers after discovering a body inside a car.
Golden Valley Firefighters responded to a reported car fire at Hwy-68 and Egar road Tuesday February 14th at about 2:00 PM. The first arriving Fire Engine reported smoke coming from the vehicle and when opening the car, discovered a body of a young woman inside and a hostile man fleeing the scene reportedly carrying what appeared to be a knife. While Golden Valley Paramedics tended to the female occupant who was later pronounced dead on scene, other GVFD members followed the suspect on foot as he traveled east along hwy-68. Arriving officers ultimately located the male and took him into custody. The names of the victim and suspect will be released from law enforcement authorities.

Vehicle Rollover

Golden Valley Firefighters extricate the lone occupant of a midsized sedan after he rolled off the shoulder of eastbound Hwy-68 into the adult book store parking lot Saturday evening at about 8:00 PM.  The rescuers removed the driver from the front of the car through the windshield.  The man who was reportedly in his late 60’s was transported to KRMC with non-life threatening injuries.  There was only one vehicle involved and no other injuries reported.

Garage Fire and Explosion Destroys Structure

Golden Valley Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at 1353 Don Luis Road Friday evening at 5:38 PM.  Responding units reported seeing heavy smoke from 6-miles away as they left the fire station.  The first fire engine arrived only 6-minutes after dispatch and reported heavy smoke coming from the garage. Inside were several thousand rounds of live ammunition, recreational vehicles and acetylene tanks.  Chief O’Donohue reports at least one firefighter being struck by a round of ammunition.  During extinguishment operations, the situation quickly turned even more dangerous when an acetylene tank ruptured, knocking at least one firefighter over and pushed one back into a tree from the blast concussion.  The blast pushed out walls and rained large chucks of burning debris on the surrounding area.  Firefighters continued to protect the home that was approximately 50 feet from the fully involved garage, saving the house from any fire damage.  The fire was declared “Under Control” 36-minutes after being dispatched, however firefighters continued to work under after 9:00 PM to assure there were no hot spots that would reignite later.  The owner reported that two large tortoises were in the garage at the time of the fire and perished.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by Golden Valley Fire District Fire Investigators.  A total of 12 firefighters responded to this fire and despite the explosion, there were no reported injuries to the occupant or firefighters.   

Sohi Area Structure Fire

After a brief respite from record numbers of structure fires, Golden Valley Firefighters were again dispatched Monday at 10:00 for a residential fire in the Sohi area located at 4705 Thurman Drive.  The three occupants were seen grabbing personal belongings from inside the home as fire crews arrived.  The occupants who were home at the time, heard the smoke detector activate, which had been installed just days earlier, warning them of the growing fire.  One resident reported fire from a receptacle where there was a space heater plugged in.  The fire rapidly went up the wall into the pantry area and into the attic space.  Firefighters rapidly extinguished the fire, saving the structure and personal belongings. Chief O’Donohue warns residents to never re-enter a home for any belongings and credits the smoke detector for waking the couple who were sleeping at the time of the fire. Fire Marshal Randy Osborn indicated faulty wiring was to blame for this morning’s fire which destroyed the kitchen area and caused smoke damage throughout the home. There were no reported injuries.