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.

Early Morning Structure Fire

Monday, July 8th at approximately 4:00 am, Golden Valley Firefighters responded to a reported brush fire around Hermit & Stewart Mountain Road. Instead of a brush fire, firefighters discovered a fully involved travel trailer and garage-type structure nearly burnt to the ground on Teddy Roosevelt, just north of Mesa Verde Drive. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remains, preventing the fire from spreading and starting a brush fire. Chief O’Donohue reported the Golden Valley Fire Marshal was called to the scene to investigate. There were no occupants in the travel trailer and the property owners were not on-scene during extinguishment operations. The trailer and contents were a total loss, and no injuries were reported. 

Structure Fire Challenges Golden Valley Firefighters

PHOTOS (from top):
Firefighters arrive to find heavy smoke coming from underneath and from the attic area, work being done on hot-spots after the fire was extinguished, overhauling the interior, pulling ceiling tiles to look for fire extension

NARRATIVE:

Golden Valley Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 3887 N. Bowie Road at 8:00 am on Tuesday, July 2nd after a neighbor discovered the fire, initially thinking the homeowner was having an illegal burn. Firefighters arrived within two minutes to discover the underside of the doublewide on fire, as well as the bedroom and attic area. The initial crew made entry and determined there were no occupants, which was later confirmed by neighbors who stated they were on vacation. Firefighters were forced to enter the building from the side that was well involved in fire due to a large volume of storage in the front room, which is counterintuitive, according to Chief O’Donohue. Despite strong winds which accelerated the fire growth, the fire was declared under control with thirty-one minutes of arrival, saving the majority of the structure. O’Donohue reported that three engine companies, two water tenders, three chiefs, fire marshal, and several off-duty personnel responded to quickly mitigate the fire. “We take no chances when it comes to saving homes or ensuring firefighter safety”, O’Donohue said. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Golden Valley Firefighters Handle Hazardous Materials Release

PHOTO:
A plume of Ammonia gas can be seen escaping from a leak at the Griffith Energy Plant while Firefighters begin to make entry.

NARRATIVE:
Golden Valley Fire firefighters responded to an Ammonia leak at the Griffith Energy Plant in the Golden Valley Industrial corridor near Mile-Post 37 on Hwy-40 Sunday June 30th in the evening at 6:30 pm.  Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue reported that, according to Griffith Energy officials, a nipple on a half-inch pipe for an Ammonia tank failed causing the moderate release of approximately 5,200 pounds, or 6,000 gallons of Ammonia into the atmosphere.  The release initiated the evacuation of the Griffith Plant as well as the precautionary notification of the Arizona State Prison, Praxair and ADOT of the incident should there have been a catastrophic release of ammonia according to Chief O’Donohue.  O’Donohue reported Golden Valley Fire, Kingman Fire, DPS and Griffith Energy Hazardous Materials Teams made entry into the Ammonia plume created by the leak.  MCSO assigned a sergeant, who assisted with plume monitoring around the plant.  O’Donohue stated hazardous materials operations are slow and deliberate to assure the safety of both firefighters and citizens.  O’Donohue stressed, while precautionary measures were put in place, at no time was the public in danger because the Ammonia plume was kept on site.  The hazard was eliminated just before 9:00 pm.