PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – Up to six homeowners have repairs to make after multiple fires tore through an east Phoenix community Friday afternoon. The first fire started near 40th Street at Monte Vista Road, which is north of McDowell. Black smoke was seen rising from the fire. According to Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade, it is believed that embers from the first fire likely started other fires. More than 100 firefighters battled the flames to try to protect the buildings. The community is one of the oldest in Phoenix and there are old trees everywhere. “It was organized chaos,” McDade said. “It was a large footprint with multiple fires in multiple areas.” He said communication was key as crews from Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Guadalupe and more helped battle the fire. “We were able to go aggressively after those fires,” McDade said.
He added that crews were thankful that wind was not a major factor in the fires. The wind is only blowing about 8 mph in Phoenix. According to the SRP outage map, more than 2,000 customers are without power due to the fires. That number dropped to a few hundred by 6 p.m. That’s also when McDade said firefighters got the fire under control. The six homes affected have damage ranging from minor to major. No one was injured. McDade said there are still hotspots in the neighborhood and firefighters will be there throughout the night. It is not clear what started the first fire. An investigation is underway.
Trees and buildings are on fire.(Arizona Family)
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