Fire near Martinez Lake burns dangerously close to homes

Neighbors step in to help fight back flames

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A brush fire threatened homes near Martinez Lake Friday afternoon. Neighbors helped beat back the flames until fire crews could arrive.

Rural Metro says the fire broke out just before one in the afternoon on the lake's east shore. Flames quickly spread through dry brush and began burning dangerously close to homes.

Neighbors called 911, then grabbed their garden hoses and began spraying down the flames. Firefighters say they probably saved some homes.

"The initial response was actually from civilians here on the scene, who did a great job, a pheomenal job." said Rural Metro Fire Chief Tim Soule.

"This was a real team effort. It takes us 20-minutes to get out here from town. We had mutal assistance from the Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma Fire Department, and the BLM." said Soule.

Flames destroyed a power pole, but didn't damage any homes. The cause of the fire is under investigation.