A quiet Chandler neighborhood was rocked Friday afternoon when a garage fire left a woman and two pets dead inside a home, authorities said. Fire crews pulled up to heavy smoke, forced their way in and discovered the bodies while battling the flames. A nearby house was evacuated as a precaution while firefighters worked the scene. The victim's name has not yet been released, and investigators say the cause of the blaze is still under review.
What crews found
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the Chandler Fire Department said that while firefighters were working the fire, they located a deceased woman inside the home, along with two pets that were also found dead. The station reports that the discovery came as crews were knocking down flames that started in the home's garage.
Where and when the blaze started
Local station AZFamily reports that crews were called out at about 2:51 p.m. to a home on West Palomino Drive, near North Dobson Road and West Warner Road, after a report of a garage fire. AZFamily notes that firefighters temporarily evacuated a neighboring home as a safety measure while they worked to contain the fire.
Investigation underway
Chandler Police detectives and arson investigators are handling the investigation into what sparked the fire, and officials say the case remains active. Investigators are continuing to process the scene as they work to determine the cause of the blaze.
Fire safety and pets
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking remains one of the leading causes of home fires, and smoke alarms and other prevention tools have helped reduce residential fire deaths over time, NFPA. Federal guidance also encourages pet owners to include animals in evacuation planning and to keep a pet go-kit stocked with food, medications and identification in case of fast-moving emergencies, Ready.gov.
Chandler Fire Department and police officials have not released any additional information beyond their initial statements, and the case remains a developing story. Updates are expected as investigators learn more.
