Williams Fire department responds to Route 66 fire

Fire fighters respond to a fire at the Turquoise Tepee on Route 66.

WILLIAMS — Williams Fire and Police units responded to a fire at the Turquoise Tepee at 114 W. Route 66 at about 8 a.m. this morning. When the owners arrived, a local resident extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. Fire fighters went through the display that was on fire to ensure it would not reflash. The fire caused little damage to the store.

Williams Fire Fighters ensuring fire is completely out.

Zipline fire quickly extinguished

1961 Thunderbird used for display at Zipline.

WILLIAMS — At approximately 7:30 p.m., Williams Police and Fire units were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire at the Zipline in Williams. Before they arrived, it was reported that the vehicle fire was extinguished, but WFD responded to ensure that it was out.

The vehicle was the red 1961 Thunderbird that is used as a display when the Zipline is open. The owners were attempting to start it when a fire occurred in the engine. The owner quickly extinguished the flame with a fire extinguisher the Zipline has on hand. Their quick action prevented the vehicle from becoming a total loss.

The Williams Fire Department responded to ensure the fire was completely out and stayed on hand for safety.

There were no injuries.

Williams Fire Department called in to make sure fire extinguished.

Santa freed by Williams Fire Department

Santa with Williams Fire Department

WILLIAMS — We have been reporting that Santa was stuck on the Zipline and would apparently not be able to make his rounds.

Last night there were several reports concerning break-ins around the area. Reports indicated missing cookies, pastries, milk and hot cocoa with little marshmallows and whipped cream. Oddly, it was reported that left behind were wrapped boxes and bags with various toys and other objects.This morning we learned that the Williams Fire Department apparently saw our Facebook post and responded late in the cold night to free Santa so that he could make his rounds. He was seen this morning driving around in a fire truck handing out a few more gifts with his elves prior to departing on his return trip to the North Pole.

Fire guts home in Williams

WILLIAMS – Three fire engines were called in to fight a fire at 418 5th Street in Williams that started about 5:45. Units from the Williams Police and Coconino County Sheriff’s Department responded for traffic control.The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. There are reports that the family members are okay, but they lost one of the family dogs. The house was totally gutted.



Injury accident in I-40 construction area

WILLIAMS – While the Prairie Dog fire was being fought, an injury accident occurred at about mile post 158 on westbound I-40 in the construction zone. A worker was run over by a piece of construction equipment injuring his leg. Lifeline ambulance requested assistance from Williams Fire Department shortly after the Prairie Dog fire was out. Williams Fire Department Rescue 1 responded and Guardian launched a helicopter. Condition of the injured person is unknown.

Firefighters contain wildfire in Williams despite drone incursion

WILLIAMS – Firefighters contained a small wildfire Thursday in Williams near Oak and 11th streets despite a drone flying over the area that temporarily delayed the arrival of a helicopter attempting to drop water on the blaze.

The Williams Fire, which was reported to the Williams Dispatch Center at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday and said to be located on the southwest side of Cemetery Hill, was less than a quarter mile away from residences in the area. Kaibab National Forest fire officials arrived on scene and immediately requested that a helicopter that was prepositioned at the Williams Airport be dispatched to drop water on the fire.

As the helicopter was preparing to launch, incident commander Mike Uebel reported that an unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as a drone, was flying over the fire. The helicopter was advised to stand down until representatives from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office could find the operator and get the drone cleared from the area.

The drone eventually departed the fire area, and Uebel was able to guide the helicopter into the location to make water drops. Other firefighting resources working to suppress the Williams Fire included four engines and a dozer. While the Williams Fire was contained at less than an acre in size, the situation could have ended very differently, according to fire officials.

“People may be flying a drone thinking it’s cool to get video footage of a wildfire, but they don’t realize the impacts they have on our ability to do our jobs,” Uebel said. “Sometimes your actions that seem harmless can have major impacts to the safety of firefighters and to the safety of our community. If we can’t respond, we can’t put out the fire.”

Members of the public should never fly an unmanned aerial vehicle over or near a wildfire. Unauthorized drone flights could cause serious injury or death to firefighters in the air or firefighters and members of the public on the ground. Firefighting aircraft, such as air attack, lead planes, airtankers and helicopters, typically fly in smoky, windy and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This is compromised by the presence of unauthorized drones.

“We don’t want recreational drone use to impede the response of aerial resources. On another day when conditions weren’t as favorable for us, we could have had a different outcome,” said Jeremy Human, fire management officer for the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The drone never reappeared and the operator was not found.

Representatives from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Williams Police Department and Williams Fire Department all assisted Kaibab National Forest fire officials in the fire suppression effort.

Williams responds to overturned semi on I-40

WILLIAMS – Williams first responders responded to an overturned semi-truck on I-40 about five-miles east of Williams about 9:10 a.m. The multi-agency response also consisted of Arizona Department of Public Safety, Lifeline ambulance and animal control from Flagstaff.

A semi-truck with a load of chicken overturned on I-40 westbound about five-miles west of Williams landing approximately 130-feet off of the freeway. The driver suffered minor lacerations to the face and was transported by Lifeline Ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Facility.

The driver had five Chihuahuas in the cab which appear to have not been injured. The report is three Chihuahua adults and two pups. A team from Flagstaff was dispatched to take care of the dogs.

Fire strikes home in Williams

Fire nearly out at 131 Sherman in Williams.

Fire nearly out at 131 Sherman in Williams.

WILLIAMS — For units of the Williams Fire Department and a Lifeline Ambulance responded to a fire at 131 Sherman Avenue in Williams in the late morning hours of Sunday. Details of the fire are unknown.

The Lifeline Ambulance stood about two-blocks from the fire so it appears that there were no injuries.

The fourth fire truck arrived at about 11 a.m. and it appeared that the fire was nearly out by that time.

Firemen fight fire on Sherman


UPDATE: The family dog was transported to the veterinarian clinic in Flagstaff and did survive the ordeal. The Williams Police Department reports the dog is in good condition.

WILLIAMS—After their arrival, it took less than fifteen-minutes for Williams Firefighters to reduce the blaze at 119 Sherman to a smoldering ember. No one was home at the time except the family dog.

Firefighters took on the blaze in the rental with a fire cannon and hose. They also sprayed neighboring homes to prevent the spread of the intense heat. The fire began about 9:50 a.m.

Neighbors across the street reported hearing a pop and going outside to find a black bag burning on the porch. They reported the fire to the Williams Fire Department.

After rescue, fire fighters work to comfort the family pet.

While firefighters rescued the dog, paramedics at the scene were not allowed to administer any manner of medical treatment or first aid.

“It should not take any special training to give a dog an oxygen mask,” local resident Brenda Carter complained.

The dog is alive, but his condition is unknown.