A devastating fire took the home of William Grimes in Desert Springs, AZ on Saturday, May 27. The home on Desert Springs Ln. was completely consumed by flames, and burned to the ground; the result of a controlled burn, by a neighbor, that got out of hand. The home and the land around it were heavily covered by vegetation which spread the fire along the ground like lightening and igniting the Grimes’ home according to neighbors. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
Another devastating fire took the home of William Grimes in Desert Springs, AZ on Saturday, May 27. The home on Desert Springs Ln. was completely consumed by flames, and burned to the ground; the result of a controlled burn that got out of hand. Everything on the property was destroyed except the garage.
Responders from Beaver Dam, BLM, Clark County and Mesquite Fire Departments were all on scene to help extinguish the flames but were unable to save Grimes’ property. They were able to contain the fire enough to save the garage and other homes and properties which were dangerously close to the burning home.
According to neighbors who arrived home just as the fire department arrived, an elderly man who lives near the Grimes’ home was burning some dry leaves and other debris. The elderly neighbor took precautions and thought that he’d taken ample care to keep the controlled burn from spreading. Before he even got his pile ignited the wind kicked up and took hold of some sparks which set ablaze the dry grasses on the ground. Those grasses, like a wick, led the flames along a tree line, across an open field and under the fence to Grimes’ home. An empty home sits next to the elderly man’s home and in front of the open field behind the Grimes’ property and was not touched by the flames although the yard on either side and in back of the empty home shows significant damage to the vegetation.
Neighbors say that the elderly man who started the fire and his wife were running around, as fast as they could, trying to put out the flames and thought they were going to be ok but the winds changed and the flames just spread along the ground, like lightening, in another direction and they couldn’t keep up. Once the flames traveled through the fence onto Grimes’ property, the couple couldn’t get over the fence into Grimes’ yard to save the home. The neighbors commented that the fence had just been installed recently. The elderly couple is completely devastated according to neighbors.
The home of William Grimes in Desert Springs, AZ accidently caught fire on May 27 as a result of a controlled burn by a neighbor that got out of hand. Responders from Beaver Dam, BLM, Clark County and Mesquite Fire Departments were all on scene to help extinguish the flames but were unable to save Grimes’ property. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
Grimes was out of town when the fire occurred and thankfully there were no lives lost but he is suffering the loss of irreplaceable items.
According to a facebook post from a friend of his, Grimes lost his wife last year, she was a painter and all her paintings were destroyed in the fire.
There is a donation account set up for William Grimes at America First Credit Union. His insurance will cover the cost of the home according to his friend but he will be in immediate need of food, clothing, medication and shelter. All donations are appreciated.
On May 27 a neighbor who lived on Shadow Mountain Rd began a controlled burn but before he even got his pile ignited the wind kicked up and took hold of some sparks which set ablaze the dry grasses on the ground. Those grasses, like a wick, led the flames along the tree line, across an open field and under the fence to Grimes’ home. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
The home of William Grimes in Desert Springs, AZ accidently caught fire on May 27 as a result of a controlled burn by a neighbor that got out of hand. The neighbor tried to extinguish the flames but they quickly spread along the ground and under this newly installed fence. The neighbor couldn’t get over the fence to stop the fire from consuming the Grimes’ home. Grimes was out of town at the time of the incident and no one was hurt. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
Good hell, this is why the Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Dept. has fire restrictions in place (even if the restriction does not go into effect until after Memorial Day weekend). I’m sure the “elderly” couple is devastated, but devastation does not replace Kitty’s belongings (Bill’s late sweet wife), pictures, memories – for their grandchildren to show their children. It’s a shame that tragedy has to happen to wake people up – especially in the windy desert! DO NOT LEAVE ANY FIRE UNATTENDED. Period. If temperatures reach well above 90 degrees, do not burn!
While we’re at it: Do Not Forget about your children in your vehicles! Do not think your pets will be okay with the windows rolled up or cracked! Do not walk your pets on hot asphalt/sidewalk/trails! Do not burn and think you have a handle on it! Always watch your children around water! You’re probably thinking “duh” but others do not have common sense and you cannot teach them to use it!
Sonny Graham
Beaver Dam
Helping fire victims is one of the jobs of the Red Cross. This gentleman, or a friend, should contact them by calling the Sheriff Office for information. At least they should have some idea as to how to proceed.
I think that the person who was trying to do the “controlled” burn should be responsible for covering whatever costs that this gentleman’s insurance does not cover. Seeing as his negligence is the reason that this man is out of his home and all of his possessions. Why do people even attempt to do controlled burns on hot windy days? That’s just ignorant.