An early-morning RV fire northwest of the Valley turned fatal Monday when one person was found dead inside the burned vehicle, authorities said. Fire crews discovered the victim in the recreational vehicle, and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation. For now, details are sparse as deputies and fire officials work the scene in the Wittmann area.
Maricopa County deputies were called out around 4:45 a.m. to the area near 211th Avenue and Jomax Road, where one person was found dead inside an RV, according to ABC15. The station reports that the sheriff's office confirmed the initial response and said investigators were already on scene.
Arizona's Family reports the blaze was located near 207th Avenue and Grant Mine Road in Wittmann and that the body was discovered just before 6 a.m. The outlet notes that the victim's identity has not been released and that further information is expected as investigators continue their work.
Investigation Underway
The sheriff's office has not publicly identified the victim or said what may have started the fire. Detectives and fire personnel remained on scene gathering evidence, according to ABC15. Officials cautioned that details could shift as the investigation develops and said they plan to release updates when they are available.
How Common Are RV Fires?
RV fires might not be everyday events, but they can be deadly. From 2018 to 2020, there were an average of about 4,200 RV fires each year nationwide, leading to roughly 15 deaths and 125 injuries annually, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. The agency notes that many of these fires start in engine or equipment areas and recommends routine checks of propane lines, keeping fire extinguishers within easy reach, and making sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working.
The sheriff's office expects to share additional information as the investigation unfolds and has not yet released the victim's name, Arizona's Family reports. We will update this story when authorities provide more details.
