AVONDALE, Ariz. - An Avondale woman and her son escaped a fast moving fire in their home about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
Neighbors say an Avondale police officer was the first one at the scene and pulled the homeowner, June Terry from the burning home. Terry’s son, Paul Terry, was also home at the time of the fire, and escaped unharmed.
Deputy Avondale Fire Chief Ben Avitia said the fire appears to have started in or around an RV-type vehicle that was parked at the back of the southwest Avondale home. He said it quickly to spread to the rear of the house; and within minutes of firefighters arriving, their attack soon became a defensive one.
“It moved rapidly through the eaves, the AC unit, and the roof itself came down,” Deputy Chief Avitia said.
As firefighters retreated, neighbors said they saw flames shooting 20-feet high coming from the rear of the house. It also became an explosive situation for firefighters.
Jesusita Garcia, who lives across the street from the Terry family, said she heard as many as four explosions coming from within the towering column of smoke. She also said firefighters had to temporarily suspend their fire fighting efforts until the area was deemed safe.
The Avondale Fire Department reports no injuries to either of the residents, or firefighters. They also said the structure was heavily damaged and may be a complete loss.
Investigators are working to determine the origin of the fire.