A house fire in the Verde Lakes area resulted in the death of one man, Aug. 8.
At 7:44 p.m., Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority was dispatched to 3862 E. Clinton Lane to respond to a report of a house fire. CCFMA arrived with three fire engines, two water trucks, an ambulance and a battalion chief to the incident.
Additionally, an engine from Verde Valley Fire District was also deployed with the dispatch.
“Prior to arrival, reports for the Cottonwood Public Safety Communication Center to the incoming units indicated the home was well involved in fire and that there were also reports from 911 callers of explosions, presumed to be ammunition, or other sources in the fire,” according to a CCFMA statement Aug. 10. “The incident was upgraded to a working fire at this point by the incoming units, and additional resources and water trucks were requested to support the fire attack.”
According to CCFMA, the first arriving engine reported a large body of fire in the two-story home.
“Crews set up for defensive operations to protect exposures and to fight the fire from the exterior of the building, as the volume of fire was so large and dangerous that an interior fire attack was not possible,” CCFMA stated.
“Early reports indicated that there were possible spot fires from flying embers in the forest behind the residence, and a second alarm was struck for additional water trucks, fire engines and support vehicles to help manage the incident or prevent other incidents from evolving.”
In addition to other support vehicles and equipment from VVFD, Cottonwood Fire Department, Sedona Fire District, Verde Valley Ambulance ambulance and rehabilitation unit was on hand to ensure firefighter wellness and hydration. The Camp Verde Marshal’s Office also responded, providing traffic and ground control to prevent traffic from blocking roadway access to the fire.
According to CCFMA, the second story of the home “eventually burned away and fell into and outside of the lower level masonry walls of the home,” resulting in reduced suppression efforts required of firefighters. By midnight, the majority of supporting vehicles, equipment and personnel were released.
“Reports on scene indicated the resident of the home was unaccounted for, and a brief search of the interior of the lower level led to the discovery of a body in the debris of the fire,” CCFMA stated. “CCFMA Fire Marshal Kristi Gagnon called for support from the Yavapai County Fire Investigation Task Force as well as Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents from Phoenix to begin investigating the cause of the fire and document the nature of the fatality.”
The Camp Verde Marshal’s Office remained to help preserve the scene and to provide support for the pending investigation.
According to CVMO Chief Administrative Assistant Darby Martin, the body of the deceased male has been transported to the Yavapai County Medical Examiner Office.
“In regards to the state of the body, the autopsy is not scheduled until Sunday, at which time we are certain to get a positive identification on the subject,” Martin stated Aug. 11.
