Two-Alarm Fire Destroys Vacant Arizona Warehouse

Firefighters expected to work overnight to battle a two-alarm fire at a vacant warehouse in an industrial area near Santa Rita Park.

The warehouse at 547 E. 24th St. was once occupied by Don's Frozen Food Locker, said Capt. Barrett Baker of the Tucson Fire Department.

The cause of the fire that broke out Monday night was unknown. Damage is estimated at $1 million, and the warehouse is considered a total loss, said Baker.

Firefighters were battling the fire from outside the building and keeping an eye on hot spots.

More than 10 people called 911 to report the fire, which was billowing thick, black smoke visible for miles. The first call came in at 7:34 p.m., and firefighters arrived at the fire scene, near East 22nd Street and South Park Avenue, four minutes later. They began working a defensive operation -- shooting water onto the building -- because of the intense heat, said Baker.

A second alarm was called at 7:48 p.m. as more than 40 firefighters battled the blaze.

The smoke was visible at Kino Stadium, on East Ajo Way near Interstate 10, where spectators took their eyes off the Tucson Padres vs. Tacoma baseball game.

Union Pacific Railroad officials were ordered to halt trains for about an hour because of the fire. Tracks run directly east of the warehouse, Baker said.

Building-safety inspectors also were called late last night to determine whether firefighters could safely enter the warehouse once the fire was under control, Baker said.

Copyright 2012 - The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

McClatchy-Tribune News Service