Morning fire sends three residents to Valley hospital for smoke inhalation

An early morning fire resulted in three Maricopa residents being transported to a Valley hospital for smoke inhalation.

The Maricopa Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire in the 45000 block of West Dutchman Drive. As fire crews arrived on scene, they found all residents safely out of the building.

Two Maricopa Police Officers, who arrived on scene shortly before the fire department, responded to the call as well. One officer removed a woman who was refusing to leave the home as the other ran upstairs and put out a small spot fire with the fire extinguisher he carries in his police cruiser.

Fire crews entered the building and found moderate smoke on the second level of the home stemming from two small fires that were set by a four-year-old child playing with a lighter. The crews made sure the fires were out and that the fire did not extend into any other parts of the home.

“We are extremely lucky this event was able to be contained so quickly,” said Brad Pitassi, Maricopa Fire Department spokesman.

Three residents who were inside the home at the time of the fire were treated by paramedics on scene: a 44-year-old female, her 25-year-old daughter and 4-year-old grandson, for smoke inhalation. All three were transported to a Valley hospital for further evaluation.

The family’s pets, two cats and a small Chihuahua, were also rescued from the home.

“This is as close as it can come to having a significant fire on our hands,” said Maricopa Fire Battalion Chief Ken Pantoja. “Children must learn the dangers of playing with matches or lighters; he almost burned his house to the ground.”

Every year, thousands of children are injured or killed in home fires; 40 percent of them are under five, according to the U.S. Fire administration.

With the holidays fast approaching, this is a critical time to get the message of match and lighter safety to our children, fire officals say. At this time of the year, more matches and lighters are around to light decorative candles and other holiday displays. Children are naturally curious about fire and you can never underestimate their ability to strike a match or start a lighter.

Education is the key in preventing these preventable fires, fire officals say. By teaching the dangers of fire to your children, you can and will save lives and property.

For more information, visit the US Fire Administration at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/

Photo by Howard WaGGoner/85239 Photography