An early morning fire on Saturday March 1 ripped through a vacated church that was soon to be used as a women's/children's shelter.
Tucson, Ariz. Fire Department units arrived at the 5:17 a.m fire to find heavy fire conditions on the south end of the structure. Engine Company 11 functioning in an offensive strategy performed an aggressive interior attack along with a primary search until it was determined the fire was aggressively traveling through the open attic.
Evaluating the rapid change in conditions, the Battalion Chief Incident Commander transitioned to a defensive mode and requested a second alarm. A total of 70 firefighters responded to the scene which was later determined to be arson. One firefighter sustained minor injuries and no arrest in the arson have been made at this time.
