Yuma, Arizona - Yesterday, at about 3:30 pm a fire was reported in a mobile home park in the 3600 block of South 4th Avenue. Arriving Yuma Fire Department personnel found smoke coming from the rear of a double wide mobile home at 337 West Teton Drive. A propane grill had caught fire and flames from the tank had spread into the exterior wall and attic space of the dwelling. Firefighters quickly knocked down and extinguished the fire before it extended into the living spaces.
Two residents (a male and female) had been home at the time of the fire, one of which was assisted out of the home by firefighters. There were no injuries. The home was not immediately able to be re-occupied until repairs could be made, and the couple found temporary lodging for the night. The grill was in use at the time of the fire, igniting propane leaking from connections, burning thru hoses and jetting flame onto the residence wall.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues. In 2014 alone, 16,600 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills. Leaks or breaks were determined to be a major cause (23%) of grill fires.
Be sure to regularly inspect your propane grill connections and hoses. Our dry conditions can quickly lead to cracked hoses and deteriorating seals.