07/26/2010 // WPB, FL, USA // Nicole Howley // Nicole Howley
Tempe, AZ—An explosion and fire that was so intense it lifted a roof of a brick home and threw debris and a firefighter 15 feet into the yard left three firemen with burns. The fire ignited at a residential home located at 1204 S. Mill Ave. on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at around 10:40 p.m., reported The Arizona Republic.
Fifteen units responded to the fire, including units from Scottsdale and Mesa, who found the 1940s home completely engulfed in flames, which was followed by a massive explosion.
Officials said the gases from the smoke inside the home built up, intensified and created a backdraft. “Once the oxygen hit that gas, it exploded…knocking off casement windows, the front door and splitting the block header,” said Tempe Fire Investigator Mike Reichling.
The blast even threw one firefighter out into the front yard, and catapulted the front door 25 feet across the yard and into the street. About 98 percent of the house was damaged, causing an estimated $250,000 worth of damage.
Three firefighters sustained burns while fighting the fire. But the injuries were not considered to be serious.
Officials are investigating the cause of the fire. Arson has not been ruled out.
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Media Information:
Address: 1204 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ
Phone: 561-247-1646
Url: http://NicoleHowley.visionsmartnews.com/tempe-az-firefighter-injury-3-burned-in-explosive-residential-fire_1566.html