Wet Conditions Cause Crash and Fire at Thatcher, AZ, Self-Storage Facility

The driver of a truck lost control on a slippery road and crashed into a utility pole that ignited a fire at Steve’s Self Storage in Thatcher, Arizona, on Wednesday morning. The incident happened at 4:37 a.m. at 4744 U.S. Highway 70 after the vehicle hydroplaned, according to the source.

The blaze started at the truck and then spread to the self-storage building and a parked trailer. While there were no visible signs of driver impairment, speed could’ve been a contributing factor, according to Bart Graves, a media-relations specialist for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Debi Peterson, co-owner of the storage facility and the damaged trailer, has doubts about the cause of the accident. “There was very little, if any, rain since we haven’t had any; so, we aren’t the only ones who feel that story isn’t quite true,” she said.  “I can tell you, though, that these diesel trucks, motorcycles and many, many cars use this part of the highway as a speedway and racetrack all hours of the day and night. Rarely are they pulled over.”

Peterson said the truck also took out a brick wall, a pine tree and two fences. She hopes the driver will reimburse those who had items damaged or lost in the fire.

“Either way, he is guilty of reckless driving and is responsible for all the items that are lost,” Peterson said. “It would be nice if he could apologize at least to the woman who lost everything in her two storerooms and the man who lost everything in his, not to mention the other storerooms with smoke-damaged items.”

The driver was thrown from the vehicle before it caught fire but suffered minor injuries. He was transported to a local hospital.

Source: The Gila Herald, Wet Conditions Lead to Fire in Crash at Steve’s Self-Storage