Residents lose everything as fast-moving fire destroys trailer park

A fast-moving fire, tore through ten homes in Yuma near 9th Street and 20th Ave on Thursday.

The fire left several families displaced, and at least three family pets dead.

Friday morning, the property owner, George Munoz, returned to the area and after reviewing the aftermath, he questioned, ” Was there even a fire department that came to put this out because nothing looks like somebody came to try to put this out. It’s just like it caught fire and it burned. ”

He was at home early Thursday afternoon as the raging fire blazed through Manchester Trailer Park, which he owns.

Munoz said he watched each trailer catch fire, and believed Rural Metro would get the fire under control.

As the fire drew closer to his home, he said firefighters ran out of water.

” They said they only had like 200-gallons of water and that they were waiting for water. So they poured that. Now we’re waiting for water and I’m watching my house burn from the back all the way to the front, ” Munoz recalled.

However, while on the scene Thursday evening, Rural Metro Fire Department explained, ” Well because we’re in a rural area, we do use water tenders to supply the water. There are a couple of hydrants in the area that we have tagged, and we’re just going to keep using both of those methods. ”

But even after calling for mutual aid from all surrounding agencies including the City of Yuma Fire Department, Yuma Proving Ground, and Marine Corps Air Station, the fire continued to rapidly spread.

By Thursday night, ten residents lost everything but their lives.

Munoz said there was nothing inside his home that would’ve been worth running back in to save.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Yuma showed up to provide the community with food and water.

They also opened a cooling center for the night at Community Christian Church, for victims to take shelter.

In addition, the Red Cross is working on assisting many of the victims with temporary housing and clothing.

The Humane Society of Yuma worked to rescue any wandering pets from the area to prevent smoke-related illnesses or contact with the burned area.

For now, Munoz will be staying on his property keeping surveillance and cleaning up what’s left.

He hopes to one day rebuild a home for himself and for his tenants to return to.

Munoz told News 11 he believes Rural Metro was negligent by inadequately responding to the fire and will be consulting with an attorney for possible legal action.

Residents believe the cause of the fire to be electrical, but is still under investigation.

If anyone is interested in making donations to the victims, please reach out to the American Red Cross in Yuma at 928-248-8220.