Mesa, AZ – A third-alarm fire at an apartment complex in Mesa early Saturday morning left two adults and four children with serious burns, authorities said. Thirty residents were evacuated as firefighters battled the blaze, which destroyed an eight-unit building near Dobson and Baseline roads.
Emergency crews said the fire spread rapidly through the structure, and several East Valley fire departments, including Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler, assisted in controlling the flames.
Incident Overview
The Mesa Fire and Medical District (MFMD) reported that the fire occurred just before 2 a.m. Saturday in an eight-unit apartment building.
Firefighters found two adults and four children suffering from serious burns. All six were transported to Valleywise Health Medical Center’s burn unit in Phoenix. One child was airlifted from Banner Desert Medical Center to the burn center due to the severity of injuries.
Timeline of Events
- Just before 2 a.m.: Residents reported smoke and flames from the eight-unit complex.
- Emergency response: Mesa police and fire units arrived to find the fire already spreading rapidly between units.
- Third-alarm response: Additional crews from Tempe and Chandler were called to assist in extinguishing the fire.
- Evacuations: Thirty residents were safely evacuated, with displaced families initially staged at a nearby junior high school.
- Later Saturday morning: Residents of neighboring buildings were allowed to return home, while the eight-unit building was declared a total loss.
Details From Officials
MFMD officials said the building’s construction contributed to the rapid spread. The units shared a common attic space, allowing flames to move quickly between apartments.
“We had to put up our aerials and deck guns to flow heavy water to put the whole thing out,” said Mesa Fire Captain Richard Harless. “While the fire was knocked down quickly, crews spent several hours ensuring hot spots were extinguished to protect adjacent buildings.”
A next-door neighbor, Jill, described the scene as “very scary” because the fire spread in seconds. She added that firefighters had to carry her to safety due to an ankle injury.
The American Red Cross is assisting the 30 displaced residents, while management works to relocate affected families. Officials confirmed that the eight-unit building is a total loss.
Investigation and Safety Notes
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Mesa fire officials.
Officials emphasized the importance of fire safety in multi-unit dwellings, particularly buildings with shared attic spaces, where flames can travel quickly. Residents are encouraged to:
- Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed
- Maintain clear escape routes and plan two ways out of each unit
- Avoid storing flammable materials in hallways or attics
- Follow instructions from emergency personnel during evacuations
Conclusion
A third-alarm fire in Mesa early Saturday morning injured two adults and four children, all of whom were hospitalized with serious burns. Thirty residents were evacuated, and the eight-unit building was destroyed. Multiple fire departments assisted in bringing the blaze under control, and investigations into the fire’s cause are ongoing.
