News
Mescal-area fires deemed 'suspicious' in nature
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Mescal fire officials are concerned by incidents in recent weeks, including a structure fire last week that gutted the second story of a large workshop.
Chris Bernal, of the Mescal Volunteer Fire Department, said last Tuesday night's (May 12) fire and an April 23 blaze that threatened 30 homes, appear suspicious in nature.
Last week, Bernal said they were notified around 8 p.m. of a structure fire on the corner of Shawnee and Walapi. When fire crews arrived on scene, the structure was 50 percent involved.
"There was no one in the building, and we found quickly it was a large, two-story workshop," Bernal said. "The flames spread quickly because the structure had plenty of construction supplies and paint thinners inside."
With assistance from the Benson and St. David volunteer fire departments, crews were able to get the fire under control quickly. Bernal said while the structure was saved, the entire second story was gutted.
Cause of the fire is under investigation, Bernal said. The fire was started in a pile of wood neatly placed near the structure, he said.
"It is suspicious in nature for several reasons," he said. "The wood pile was ignited and the flames spread up the wall of the structure, the time of the fire, and the fact that the pile of wood would have required a lot more heat to just ignite."
Bernal said an arson investigator from the Pima County Sheriff's Department has been called into the case.
The April 23 fire is also under investigation. The brush fire is said to be human caused, with area residents reporting they saw people near an abandoned railroad track right before the fire was started.
No homes were damaged in the fire, but Bernal said a lot of acreage was burned.
Bernal said there is no reason for residents to be alarmed, but they should watch for suspicious activity.
"We are not too concerned at this point," Bernal said. "But we are definitely keeping our eyes open. That's why we are having the Cochise County Sheriff's Department and the Pima County Sheriff's Department investigate the fires. That way we have the reports on hand if this does become an issue."
Residents should call 911 in the case of any structure or brush fire.
Fire officials have also warned residents to be prepared for a dry, hot summer, and to clear weeds at least 20 feet from the home, which will give emergency crews time to get on scene and save the structure if a brush fire does break out.
Mescal fire officials are concerned by incidents in recent weeks, including a structure fire last week that gutted the second story of a large workshop.
Chris Bernal, of the Mescal Volunteer Fire Department, said last Tuesday night's (May 12) fire and an April 23 blaze that threatened 30 homes, appear suspicious in nature.
Last week, Bernal said they were notified around 8 p.m. of a structure fire on the corner of Shawnee and Walapi. When fire crews arrived on scene, the structure was 50 percent involved.
"There was no one in the building, and we found quickly it was a large, two-story workshop," Bernal said. "The flames spread quickly because the structure had plenty of construction supplies and paint thinners inside."
With assistance from the Benson and St. David volunteer fire departments, crews were able to get the fire under control quickly. Bernal said while the structure was saved, the entire second story was gutted.
Cause of the fire is under investigation, Bernal said. The fire was started in a pile of wood neatly placed near the structure, he said.
"It is suspicious in nature for several reasons," he said. "The wood pile was ignited and the flames spread up the wall of the structure, the time of the fire, and the fact that the pile of wood would have required a lot more heat to just ignite."
Bernal said an arson investigator from the Pima County Sheriff's Department has been called into the case.
The April 23 fire is also under investigation. The brush fire is said to be human caused, with area residents reporting they saw people near an abandoned railroad track right before the fire was started.
No homes were damaged in the fire, but Bernal said a lot of acreage was burned.
Bernal said there is no reason for residents to be alarmed, but they should watch for suspicious activity.
"We are not too concerned at this point," Bernal said. "But we are definitely keeping our eyes open. That's why we are having the Cochise County Sheriff's Department and the Pima County Sheriff's Department investigate the fires. That way we have the reports on hand if this does become an issue."
Residents should call 911 in the case of any structure or brush fire.
Fire officials have also warned residents to be prepared for a dry, hot summer, and to clear weeds at least 20 feet from the home, which will give emergency crews time to get on scene and save the structure if a brush fire does break out.
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