The cause of a large house fire on New Year’s Eve is under investigation with arson not having been ruled out.
Crews from the Sedona Fire District responded to a fire on the 100 block of Eagle Lane in the Chapel area, around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
“When our crews arrived it was fully engulfed,” SFD Fire Chief Jon Trautwein said. “The house was in the framing stage of construction, so it burned hot and fast. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.
“I’m really proud of our firefighters for not only extinguishing the fire in a timely manner but for protecting a nearby house, which is also under construction.”
As for a possible cause, Trautwein added, “Right now we’re looking at all possibilities.”
He also said the SFD will be requesting assistance of an outside fire agency during the investigation stage.
The Sedona Police Department also responded to the call. Sgt. Michael Dominguez said one of their detectives was on the scene the next day to assist in the investigation. If the cause is determined to be arson, he said SPD will pick up the investigation and interview witnesses and possible suspects. They will also work closely with the homeowner’s insurance company.
Dominguez said there were plumbing crews at that location on the day of the fire, so it may have been set accidentally.
On Nov. 25, SPD was called to a construction site on 49 Eagle Lane on a report of two generators being damaged with sugar and mud. That’s the location of a 6,587-square-foot eight bedroom, 10-bath home being built as a short-term vacation rental. The owner of that home is listed as Passion, LLC, out of Edmond, Okla. It appears the vandalism occurred at the property next to the recent fire, which is also owned by Passion, LLC, according to the Coconino County Assessor’s Office.
It is not known if the Nov. 25 vandalism and the one that occurred on the day of New Year’s Eve are connected.
