Yuma, Arizona - On Tuesday, just before 4:30 pm, a fire was reported in the 1900 block of 6th Avenue. Yuma Fire Department personnel arrived to find a large shed at 1927 South 6th Avenue completely on fire, with fire extending to a second nearby shed. Firefighters began the work to contain and extinguish the fire but their efforts were hampered due to live high voltage electrical wires down in the yard.

The wires kept them from coming directly into the yard until Arizona Public Service employees were able to arrive and shut down those power lines. Several occupants of the home were safely evacuated.

The fire was quickly extinguished once firefighters had clear access to the fire. The two sheds and their contents were badly damaged but the fire was kept from spreading to the house on the property. A vacant house in an adjoining lot received minor damage from the heat. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Due to a large amount of smoke, this fire was widely visible and attracted many onlookers whose vehicles congested the streets in the early phases of fighting this fire. We would like to remind people that fires are not spectator sports, uncongested streets are necessary for effective firefighting response. Even when police are not there to block traffic, stay clear of an area when the fire is occurring. You don’t want to be the cause of critical resources not arriving when and where needed.

Never attempt to drive over fire hoses in the street, and if you are on foot in the area….don’t stand in the smoke, you have no idea what is burning and what chemicals might be in it. Don’t be the cause of a Police Officer having to go into the smoke to ask you to move to a safer area.