On Monday, March 3, 2014, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Pima County deputies responded to a house fire in the 5500 block of South Meadowlark Avenue. When deputies arrived, they heard a person yelling for help in the rear of the residence.
Deputy Keith Barnes went into the garage to find something to open the door, while Deputy Justin Bingham went to get fire personnel from Drexel Heights Fire Department.
Deputy Barnes inhaled a large amount of smoke while in the garage looking for a crowbar to open the door. While Deputy Barnes was attempting to open the security door, fire personnel arrived and took over. When the door was opened, a 49-year-old male was located near the back door with severe burns. The male was transported to the trauma center for treatment. Deputy Barnes was transported to a local hospital for observation. Deputy Barnes has been with the Sheriff’s Department for fifteen years, and Deputy Bingham has been with the Department for three years.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department Arson Unit responded to investigate the cause of the fire with Drexel Heights Fire Department.