Large Fire Breaks Out at Liquidation Store in Yuma Foothills

A large structure fire erupted at a liquidation store in Yuma’s Foothills neighborhood after being reported at about 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026, drawing multiple Rural Metro Fire engines and deputies to Foothills Boulevard near 38th Street and the frontage near Del Sol on S Foothills Blvd. Heavy black smoke from the blaze could be seen from miles away as crews worked on scene.

Several Rural Metro Fire engines responded to the call, and more than a dozen crew members were actively fighting the fire, with deputies redirecting traffic to allow emergency vehicles access and to keep nearby motorists safe. Fire crews remained at the liquidation store for at least two hours; KYMA reported the fire “calmed down” by around 4:00 p.m.

Employees at the auto shop that shares the same parking lot as the liquidation store said they “saw plumes of smoke fill the air and it was scary.” Those employees said they immediately rushed to call 911 when they spotted the smoke, providing the first on-the-ground notifications that mobilized the multi-unit response.

At the time crews were still working to extinguish hotspots, Rural Metro public information officers had not confirmed any injuries or the origin of the blaze. When asked about injuries and cause, the Rural Metro PIO replied, “They don’t have that information at this time as it’s still under investigation, and it could take a while to know the because because the fire was so huge.” Officials have not released an incident number or a final damage assessment.

A truncated Facebook post circulating soon after the fire claimed “sheds situated behind Hands Extended (across from Foothills Library) charity thrift store were on fire.” That social media report is unverified and has not been confirmed by Rural Metro or deputies; KYMA on-scene reporting identified the main structure as a liquidation store and did not provide a business name or exact address.

The scale of the response - several engines and over a dozen firefighters - and the visible plume of heavy black smoke imply significant property damage and temporary business disruption for the liquidation store and adjacent tenants, including the auto shop. For small local businesses, a multi-hour structural fire typically triggers an investigative delay before insurance claims, cleanup, and re-opening timelines can be determined. Coordination between Rural Metro and law enforcement to redirect traffic limited immediate public-safety risks, but the investigation into cause and any injuries remains the next critical step.

KYMA reporter Danyelle Burke North was on scene for initial coverage. Authorities have not yet released a full list of responding agencies, an official cause, or a tally of damages; those details will be determined as the investigation continues.