PHOENIX — More than 100 firefighters battled a fourth-alarm fire in Phoenix Wednesday afternoon near 27th Avenue and Lincoln Street, just north of Buckeye Road.
The Phoenix Fire Department says the original call in the area was for a grass fire. The fire quickly spread to at least four nearby buildings.
A spokesperson tells ABC15 that at least one home was lost due to the fire, as well as some mobile homes and structures. Six people were displaced as a result.
Phoenix fire officials say that crews have gained control of the fire.
A total of three firefighters were hospitalized during the incident. Two were transported for heat-related symptoms and the third suffered a "soft tissue injury." No other injuries have been reported.
All three firefighters have since been released from the hospital and are said to be resting comfortably.
#PHXFire has gained control of a 4 alarm fire near 31st Ave & Buckeye. Just before 3PM, Crews arrived on scene and quickly advanced hose lines to set up elevated masters streams battling the wind driven fire. Over 100 firefighters from multiple agencies helped contain the fire.
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) August 2, 2023
Live images showed a massive plume of smoke coming from the area.
Officials say there could be residuals of gas due to vehicles nearby from different recycling centers, junkyards, and auto shops.
According to a Phoenix Fire spokesperson, there were also reports of live ammunition in the area.
Lyne Emerson, who works at Assurance Moving & Storage near 27th Avenue and Lincoln Street, told ABC15 said she could see the fire across the street.
“It’s pretty bad. I can feel the heat,” she told ABC15, as she told other employees to get out of the building.
“I’m worried,” she said, right before our phone call was abruptly disconnected.
🚨 Exercise caution and avoid the area of 27th Ave & Buckeye in Phoenix, there is an active fire. Large plumes of smoke are visible from our administration building downtown. pic.twitter.com/VEv3lp3wZy
— Maricopa County (@maricopacounty) August 2, 2023
Mauricio Galaviz was having a hard time finding the words, as he walked where his car business once stood for at least 10 years.
Mauricio says he and his son, Joseph saw everything burning on TV.
"Everything was burning to the ground," Mauricio told ABC15.
"It's sad, just sitting there. We couldn't do anything," added Joseph.
They felt helpless, watching their livelihood burn before their eyes.
"I was shocked. And then when I went over there it was more shocking because it just smelled like burnt metal. That's all it smelled like," Joseph said.
Joseph says the titles of the cars and important paperwork were destroyed, and they don't have insurance.
"It's just everything burnt down. Nothing… nothing's left," he said.
Joseph says that cameras were rolling when the fire started.
"My friend caught everything on video. A dust tornado took a piece of metal and hit on the cable and that's when it shocked the ground and lit up on fire,” said Joseph.
The Phoenix Fire Department says they're aware of the video but still looking at all evidence.
