5-alarm fire in Arizona: Apartment complex under construction swallowed in flames (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)
A huge fire has broken up at an apartment complex in Arizona, officials said, adding that authorities started evacuation of the local resident. At least one firefighter has been injured in the blaze.
The fire started at an apartment complex under construction in the Phoenix suburb of the town of Gilbert. It then spread to nearby homes.
Fire has grown to a 5-alarm 🚨🚨🚒🔥🔥🚒 @ construction site in #Gilbert#Arizona; Some homes nearby have been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/60QYHeoQx2
— Raven*H⚓️U*Wolf (@RavenHUWolf) April 24, 2016
At least 120 firefighters have been deployed at the scene of the incident, KPNX news reported, adding that one firefighter received burns to his hands and three officers have been treated for smoke inhalation.
Heavy smoke and flames have been seen coming from the construction site, according to numerous photos and videos on social media.
Warner Road from Gilbert to Lindsay is closed as firefighters are battling the flames, Gilbert fire officials said.
Crews continue to fight apartment complex fire. Working hard to protect homes and buildings in the area. pic.twitter.com/CBQ1J2tX2c
— Gilbert Fire Rescue (@GilbertFireDept) April 24, 2016
Later, Gilbert fire officials said that firefighters had managed to contain the fire and it was no longer spreading, NBC news reported.
Nearby homes and businesses were evacuated.
"With a wood frame, it's going to be exposed wood which is going to burn hotter and faster," Gilbert Fire Rescue Gary Hildebrandt said. "With the winds kicking up, we had a hard time containing it right away."
“I'm glad no one is living in there [where the fire broke out]," local resident Karisten Stone told The Arizona Republic newspaper. "We've watched the fire jump from building to building."
More pics of fire in Gilbert Arizona pic.twitter.com/2H3nVOyw5f
— Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) April 24, 2016
At least 45 people have been evacuated from a nearby apartment complex, meters away from the incident scene.
"Our plan is to get them back to their homes ASAP," Deputy Fire Chief Mike Connor said.
#breaking: Unbelievable video coming in from @CBS5AZ chopper over 5 alarm fire in Gilbert, #Arizona. @CNN@CBSNewspic.twitter.com/IpWYGLdTw2
— Preston Phillips (@PrestonTVNews) April 24, 2016
@RavenHUWolf About an hour ago it was a 4-alarm blaze at Gilbert, Ariz., construction site - now a 5-alarm 🚒🔥🚒 blaze pic.twitter.com/zElIIDg7Qx
— Raven*H⚓️U*Wolf (@RavenHUWolf) April 24, 2016