Glendale strip mall fire injures 3 people, damages businesses
GLENDALE, Ariz. - A fire at a Glendale strip mall sent a woman to the hospital and damaged multiple businesses Thursday night.
The fire burned in the area of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road on March 10. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and heavy black smoke coming from one end of the building, although firefighters later said that any reports of an explosion were unfounded.
Three people were cut by glass when the windows of a store blew out, officials said. One woman was hospitalized for her injuries, and the others did not need to be transported.
The cause of the sounds witnesses heard and the glass breaking are unknown.
"You could see flames shooting out, and just billows and billows of smoke," said a woman at the scene. "It is scary. This is an old building."
The firefight became too dangerous for firefighters, forcing crews to switch to a defensive strategy and get out of the building. It took about an hour to get the fire under control.
"There was a partial roof collapse," said Chris James with Glendale Fire. "The fire vented from the roof. At the same time, electrical lines near the building fell down on the ground, creating another hazard for our firefighters."
Six businesses were damaged in the fire. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Other Top Arizona Stories
- Russia-Ukraine War: Foreign affairs experts in Arizona weigh in on what might happen next
- MLB Lockout ends: Here's what you should know as players vote to accept new labor deal
- Missing horseback rider found dead near Rio Verde, MCSO deputies say