Six people were hospitalized in critical condition Saturday after a house fire in Phoenix spread to a neighboring residence, prompting a large emergency response from multiple fire departments.
The fire broke out near Encanto Boulevard and 39th Avenue shortly before 11 a.m., according to the Phoenix Fire Department. When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and flames engulfing a home and threatening nearby properties.
Firefighters also received reports that several people were trapped inside the burning structure, triggering an urgent rescue effort.
As crews battled the blaze, they located and rescued five occupants from the first home, including two women, two men and a teenage girl. All five were transported to local hospitals in critical condition. Officials said one of the women suffered particularly severe injuries and was listed in extremely critical condition.
Meanwhile, the fire spread to a second residence, requiring additional resources and personnel to contain the flames. Firefighters searching that home rescued another man who was also taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Emergency responders from multiple Valley fire departments assisted in the operation, helping bring the fire under control within about an hour.
Despite the challenging conditions and rescue efforts, no firefighters were reported injured during the incident.
Investigators remained at the scene Saturday afternoon working to determine how the fire started and whether any additional factors contributed to its rapid spread between the two homes.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
