Close call: Ariz. firefighters caught in explosion at abandoned building fire

By Erika Wurst
The Arizona Daily Star

TUCSON, Ariz. — Tucson firefighters were on the roof of a burning abandoned building in midtown Friday when it collapsed with such force it looked like an explosion, authorities say.

The force of the impact that knocked one firefighter to the ground and send others scattering was captured on video. No one was injured.

In the fire, crews were sent to a former convenience store in 3100 block of East 22nd Street , about 3:30 p.m. after smoke was reported coming from inside the abandoned building, Tucson Fire said on social media.

As crews arrived on scene and attempted to find the fire’s source. Several firefighters were on the building’s roof when it collapsed.

Homeless activity has been listed as the fire’s cause, TFD said

Trending

Violence Against First Responders

‘Tomorrow I shall go into battle': Report details Idaho ambush that killed 2 firefighters

The report lays out how suspect Wess Roley set a wildfire on Canfield Mountain and lured firefighters into a deadly ambush on the 24th anniversary of the burning of the former Aryan Nations headquarters

April 20, 2026 10:59 AM

 · 

Bill Carey

Legal Issues

Sexual misconduct: The poison that affects everyone

Two cases of sexual misconduct expose how fear, inaction and poor leadership allow abuse to continue

April 20, 2026 10:18 AM

 · 

Linda Willing, MS

Apparatus

Aging fleet leaves first-arriving Alaska firefighters without water at structure fire

With engines stuck in the shop and few reserves available, Anchorage firefighters are increasingly forced to respond in under-equipped vehicles as call volumes rise and equipment wears down

April 19, 2026 08:00 AM

Technical Rescue

Skydiver rescued after crashing into video board at Virginia Tech game

A skydiver taking part in pregame festivities at Virginia Tech’s spring football game was left dangling from the top of the video board for about 25 minutes

April 20, 2026 07:48 AM

© 2025 The Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, Ariz.).
Visit www.tucson.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.