Alterra home suffers second fire today

This morning’s fiery sunrise was matched with a blaze on the ground in Maricopa. 

Maricopa Fire and Medical Department responded to a fire in the garage of an Alterra home at about 11:45 p.m. last night. Crews contained the fire inside the garage,  said Monica Williams, a spokesperson for the city’s emergency services. 

A family at the home escaped by the time firefighters arrived. A neighbor said the family had been tipped off by a security camera in the garage. 

Crews remained at the home until about 3 a.m., checking for fire hotspots while an investigator completed a review of the fire scene. 

Related: Alterra home burns overnight – InMaricopa

Just after 4 a.m. this morning, crews responded to the same home after a new fire sparked on the second floor above the garage, Williams said. 

People boarding up the garage from the first fire told emergency services they saw smoke coming from the second floor. They said they found a smoldering mattress and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher. They could not extinguish the mattress and called 9-1-1.  

Fire crews responded and “quickly contained” the second fire, Williams said. 

As a member of Phoenix Regional Aid, Maricopa Fire Department was aided by fire crews from Sun Lakes and Chandler. 

The fire appears to have been extinguished, but as of 6 a.m., three fire engines remain at the scene.  

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