PHOENIX — For an entire year, Stephanie Perez has played the images of July 20, 2023, in her head constantly.
“I’m just so ready to put this behind me and get this over with,” she says.
On that day the mother of three was headed back to Phoenix from Miami after a trip when she received an email from Sundance Airport Parking.
She had parked her car at the lot near the intersection of 40th and Washington streets, north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
“Unfortunately, there are many, many vehicles that are damaged beyond repair or sustained minor to major damage from the fire, “ Perez the email said.
A massive four-alarm inferno broke out, fueled by propane tanks from a nearby business, at the same lot where she parked her car, during one of the hottest stretches in the history of Phoenix.
Editor's note: The video below is from the day after the fire on July 21, 2023.
“As soon as I saw that picture, I knew my car was gone,” Perez said.
Her car and dozens more were damaged and destroyed, burnt to a crisp after a fire at Bill’s Propane Service, operated by Canyon State Propane, spread to Sundance Airport Parking.
Perez says she was in disbelief seeing the damage first-hand. Trying to recover from the fire hasn’t been easy.
“My car was paid off. I used it for work and personal life,” she said.
Perez said she didn’t have comprehensive insurance.
“On top of that there were valuables inside of the car, and then I had to buy another car,” she adds.
In all, she says the entire experience has cost her $50,000.
And she’s not the only victim still looking to recover from the experience.
Perez and other victims who also had their cars damaged or destroyed have started their own Facebook group where they continue to search for answers about what happened.
"We haven't heard from the government. Nobody."
Editor's note: The video below shows surveillance video of the fire on July 20, 2023.
One year later, the burned-out cars and torched propane tanks have been removed from the property. But for the victims, they say there are still unanswered questions about how it happened, and who is responsible.
Phoenix Fire tells 12News that it is now working to finalize the release of an 87-page report on the findings of the fire to determine the cause.
As for who is responsible, that could involve several layers.
12News has learned the federal government owns the property through the Bureau of Reclamation but it is managed by energy provider SRP.
Sundance Parking Lot and Bill’s Propane Service were tenants on the property.
Perez says she and other victims are now working with a lawyer to pursue legal action, hoping it won’t take more years to get the answers they need.
“I’m crossing my fingers to get a solution of what happened,” Perez says. “We're planning as a big group to take action because it’s been a year and we haven’t seen anything,” she adds.
12News reached out to Canyon State Propane which operated Bill’s Propane Service and Sundance Airport Parking for a comment, but have not yet heard back.
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