Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - On Wednesday night the Yuma Fire Department responded to several reported fire incidents. Two involved vehicles and one fire involved a storage shed at an apartment complex.

Just after 7:00 pm a van was reported to be on fire in the 1200 block of West 24^th Street. Arriving YFD personnel found a 1990 Ford Econoline van with its engine compartment on fire. The van was Eastbound on 24^th St. approaching Elks Lane when the driver saw smoke, stopped the van, and evacuated all occupants. The van had been transporting approximately a dozen children to a church activity. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire but the engine compartment was heavily damaged. There were no injuries. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a mechanical failure.

At approximately 11:45 pm another vehicle fire was reported in the area of 22^nd Lane and Avenue C. YFD personnel arrived to find a 2000 Kia Sportage fully on fire under a carport in the parking lot of the La Mirada Apartments, 3900 West 22^nd Lane. The fire was quickly extinguished but at least one vehicle parked along side was damaged by exposure to the heat. The Kia was totally destroyed.

While on the scene of this fire, firefighters were notified of a storage shed on fire on the opposite side of the complex. Firefighters found a fire burning inside the shed. The fire was extinguished with damage mostly limited to the contents. The vehicle and shed fires were both believed to have been intentionally set.

The Yuma Fire Department and Yuma Police Department are coordinating their investigations of these fires. Anyone that may have information is asked to contact Detective Jesse Escott at (928) 373-4670. Information can also be provided anonymously through the Silent Witness tip line at 78-CRIME (782-7463).