Firefighters respond to residence for third time for arson fire

For the third time in a week, city of Yuma firefighters responded to a report of a house on fire in the 2200 block of West 18th Street for a fire that had been intentionally set.

Mike Erfert, spokesman for the Yuma Fire Department, said firefighters were dispatched to the residence just after 5:30 a.m. on Friday. Upon their arrival they found that a fire had been set outside of a bedroom window.

Erfert said a resident was using a garden hose to put out the fire when firefighters arrived so firefighters finished putting out the fire and made sure it had not spread into the house.

This was the third fire at this residence since Tuesday night. Fire investigators determined this fire had also been intentionally set and the Yuma Police Department is continuing the criminal investigation.

There were no injuries and the damage was limited to the exterior of the home surrounding the window.

Firefighters were dispatched to the same residence twice within hours for fires on Tuesday that were also determined to have been the result of arson.

Sgt. Leanne Worthen said Yuma police are currently investigating the fires and encourages anyone with any information about this case to call them at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime to remain anonymous.

“We have been extremely fortunate nobody has been hurt,” Worthen said of the fires. “If you think you may have some information, don't think that we already know what you do. Please give us a call.”

Firefighters were first dispatched to the residence shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived on scene they found a portion of the fence, a picnic table and contents of a wheelbarrow on fire, and quickly extinguished the blaze before much damage was caused.

Then, just before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, firefighters were sent to the residence again regarding a house fire. This time when they arrived on scene, they found a gate on fire with flames extending into an attached garage.

The fire was stopped before it could enter the home and the damage was limited to the gate, eaves of the house and a small portion of the garage.

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.