Firefighters responding to a house fire in Queen Creek Tuesday night encountered unexpected challenges when several nearby fire hydrants were not working, according to town officials. What began as a reported garage fire grew into a larger incident as crews worked to secure a reliable water supply while fighting the flames.
Fire Response
The fire occurred in a neighborhood near Ellsworth Road and Germann Road, where residents reported seeing a home engulfed in flames. Queen Creek officials said the fire was upgraded to a working fire before the first units arrived and later escalated to a first alarm fire.
A total of 26 fire units responded from Queen Creek, Mesa, and Gilbert.
Hydrant Issues
When the first crews arrived, they were unable to access multiple fire hydrants near the home, including one located less than 600 feet away, town officials said.
Neighbor Rick Paradis said firefighters discovered the nearest hydrant was not functioning, forcing crews to adjust their response.
Water Supply Efforts
Firefighters initially relied on water carried in their fire engines while utility crews were dispatched to address the hydrant issues. Crews also worked to reroute water from other hydrants as repairs were underway.
Town officials said utility crews were able to restore water to three of the four hydrants during the incident. Two of those hydrants required additional repairs due to damage.
Repairs and Inspections
By Wednesday, town officials said the damaged hydrants had been repaired. The town also inspected all 51 hydrants in the immediate community following the fire.
Officials said Queen Creek has completed approximately 1,350 fire hydrant inspections since last fall and plans to inspect all hydrants townwide by the end of the year.
Community Concerns
The incident raised concerns among neighbors about hydrant maintenance and inspection schedules.
Paradis said the situation underscores the importance of regular hydrant checks to help prevent similar losses in the future. He said the affected home was a total loss.
Investigation
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Town officials have not reported any injuries related to the incident.
FAQs
Where did the fire occur?
Near Ellsworth Road and Germann Road in Queen Creek.
How many units responded?
Twenty six units from multiple departments responded.
What problem did firefighters face?
Several nearby fire hydrants were not working.
Were hydrants repaired?
Yes, damaged hydrants were repaired by Wednesday.
Is the fire cause known?
No, the cause is still under investigation.
