By Jon Johnson/Gila Herald
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
PIMA — Firefighters from Pima and Thatcher responded to a fast-moving structure fire south of Pima early Wednesday morning that tore through an outbuilding and vehicles before crews managed to bring the blaze under control.
The incident began around 12:13 a.m. when a group of children at a neighboring residence spotted flames near West Mohave Street and North Cluff Ranch Road and dialed 911.
According to dispatch logs from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, responding officers arrived to find a building fully engulfed in flames. High winds and dry conditions threatened to push the inferno directly into adjacent structures.
As the caller warned neighbors to clear the area, exploding propane tanks rattled the neighborhood. Within minutes, the fire appeared ready to jump to an adjacent trailer, threatening multiple nearby outbuildings and parked vehicles. Neighbors informed responding deputies that they did not believe anyone was trapped inside the burning structures.
Recognizing the blaze’s severity and potential to spread, dispatch initially paged both the Safford and Thatcher fire departments to assist Pima Fire. Safford Fire was later stood down as incoming units from Pima and Thatcher took positions on scene and worked overnight to contain the spread.
Graham County Electric Cooperative (REA) was also dispatched to cut power to the immediate area while crews battled the flames.
First responders confirmed no injuries. Wednesday’s fire occurred at the same property that suffered another major structure fire just a few years ago.
Investigators are still investigating the cause of the overnight blaze.
