Fire damages homeless encampment near Othello

OTHELLO — Around 5:19 p.m. Sunday, Adams County Fire District 5 responded to an RV fire at 2125 W. Cunningham Road, about a mile east of Othello. The fire damaged or destroyed two recreational vehicles, 13 vehicles and several piles of trash and tires. The site is the location of a large homeless encampment on private property.  

A release from ACFD 5 said the only way to the site is one single narrow 1,900-foot driveway. That caused the firefighters and deputies to struggle to gain access to the vehicles parked in the traffic lane, delaying the response, the release said.  

“Firefighters found it challenging to shuttle water to the fire using the narrow driveway, forcing the crew to use smaller apparatus for the shuttle,” the release said.  

During the blaze there were propane tanks venting, containers of spilled oil and explosions were noted creating concern for firefighters' safety. 

“The fire spreading to neighboring properties was a concern; however, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the property of origin,” the release said.  

Several other RVs, vehicles and unpermitted structures were saved and there were no reported injuries.  

ACFD5 received assistance from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Othello Hospital Ambulance and Othello Police Department. The Adams County Fire Marshall is investigating the cause.  

    Adams County Fire District 5 put out a fire at a homeless encampment outside Othello. During the blaze, there were propane tanks venting, containers of spilled oil and explosions were noted creating concern for firefighters' safety.
  

    Adams County Fire District 5 responded to an RV blaze outside of Othello on Sunday. The firefighters struggled to bring water in because of the narrow and cluttered driveway.