House destroyed by fire

A Yuma home in the 900 block of Dora Avenue was destroyed by fire late Tuesday night.

According to Charly McMurdie, a spokeswoman for Rural/Metro Fire Department, the occupants escaped after calling 911 and no one was injured.

The home, which is near 8th Street and Avenue B, was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at about 10:05 p.m.

McMurdie said as the first engine arrived, the captain advised dispatch to send additional units because half of the house was on fire. Firefighters then quickly went to work to put out the blaze.

By the time the second fire engine arrived, the house was severely damaged, but the fire had been contained to a small area. They quickly went to work assisting the crews already on scene and set up another line from their fire engine.

McMurdie said there was extensive mop-up to be done. The incoming engine and rescue truck, along with the crews already on scene, were there for several hours to make sure there were no hotspots or flare-ups.

A deputy from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office who was on scene made sure Red Cross was notified to help the family, since they had lost everything in the house and were unable to stay in the residence.

Brian Gomez, communications specialist for the American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter in Phoenix, said the agency provided assistance to the two adults. “The Red Cross will meet their immediate needs, giving them food and clothing.”

Fire Investigator Cori Bailey and Fire Marshal Curt Foster were on scene early Wednesday morning to investigate the cause of the blaze, which was determined to have been electrical in nature.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.