Skip to main contentSkip to main content
Register for more free articles.
Log in Sign up
Back to homepage
Subscriber Login
Keep reading with a digital access subscription.
Subscribe now
You have permission to edit this collection.
Edit
Arizona Daily Star
80°
  • Sign in
  • Subscribe Now
  • Manage account
  • Logout
    • Manage account
    • e-Newspaper
    • Logout
  • News
    • Sign up for newsletters
    • Local
    • Arizona
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Nation & World
    • Markets & Stocks
    • SaddleBrooke
    • Politics
    • Archives
    • News Tip
  • Arizona Daily Star
    • E-edition
    • E-edition-Tutorial
    • Archives
    • Special Sections
    • Merchandise
    • Circulars
    • Readers' Choice Awards
    • Buyer's Edge
  • Obituaries
    • Share Your Story
    • Recent Obituaries
    • Find an Obituary
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Submit guest opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Opinion & Editorials
    • National Columnists
  • Sports
    • Arizona Wildcats
    • Greg Hansen
    • High Schools
    • Roadrunners
  • Lifestyles
    • Events Calendar
    • Arts & Theatre
    • Food & Cooking
    • Movies & TV
    • Movie Listings
    • Music
    • Comics
    • Games
    • Columns
    • Play
    • Home & Gardening
    • Health
    • Get Healthy
    • Parenting
    • Fashion
    • People
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Faith
    • Retro Tucson
    • History
    • Travel
    • Outdoors & Rec
    • Community Pages
  • Brand Ave. Studios
  • Join the community
    • News tip
    • Share video
  • Buy & Sell
    • Place an Ad
    • Shop Local
    • Jobs
    • Homes
    • Freedom RV AZ
    • Marketplace
    • I Love A Deal
  • Shopping
  • Customer Service
    • Manage My Account
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Subscribe
    • Contact us
  • Mobile Apps
  • Weather: Live Radar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
© 2026 Lee Enterprises
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Arizona Daily Star
News+
Read Today's E-edition
Arizona Daily Star
News+
  • Log In
  • $1 for 3 months
    Subscribe Now
    • Manage account
    • e-Newspaper
    • Logout
  • E-edition
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Wildcats
  • Lifestyles
  • Newsletters
  • Comics & Puzzles
  • Buyer's Edge
  • Jobs
  • Freedom RV AZ
  • 80° Clear
Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
Photos: Fire damage - A history of Tucson businesses in flames
Share this
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Print
Top Story

Photos: Fire damage - A history of Tucson businesses in flames

  • Jun 13, 2017
  • Jun 13, 2017 Updated May 14, 2018

Tucson-area firefighters have a long history of fighting fires at restaurants and other businesses around Tucson. 

Ice House fire in 1970

Ice House fire in 1970

The heavy roof collapsing likely caused the balls of flame during a fire at former Pacific Fruit Express warehouse (known as the Ice House) at 802 E. 12th St. on April 7, 1970. 

Tucson Citizen file

Ice House fire in 1970

Ice House fire in 1970

Tucson Fire commanders set up at the former Pacific Fruit Express warehouse (known as the Ice House) at 802 E. 12th St. on April 7, 1970. 

Tucson Citizen file

Pima Pool and Plastering fire

Pima Pool and Plastering fire

Tucson Fire Department firefighters cut open a hole to vent smoke and heat while battling a building fire at Pima Pool and Plastering, 2610 E. Ganley Road, on Sept. 1, 2016.

Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Jet fighter crash

Jet fighter crash

Fire consumes the Food Giant grocery store on 1830 S Alvernon Way after an Air Force F4D fighter-bomber from Davis Monthan Air Force Base crashed into the store and nearby building, killing four people on December 19, 1967. 

Tucson Citizen file

Grant Road Lumber fire in 1968

Grant Road Lumber fire in 1968

Water droplets and debris cloud the camera lens as a Tucson Fire ladder truck pours water on a fire at Grant Road Lumber on May 14, 1968. 

Tucson Citizen file

Grant Road Lumber fire in 1968

Grant Road Lumber fire in 1968

A Tucson Fire commander surveys the fire with his "portable" radio during a fire at Grant Road Lumber on May 14, 1968. 

Tucson Citizen file

DeGrazia Chapel fire damage

DeGrazia Chapel fire damage

Some smoke and fire damage is apparent in the entryway of the historic DeGrazia Chapel at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Road, on May 30, 2017. The fire, which started Monday evening, heavily damaged the structure that was built in 1952. It was built in memory of Padre Eusebio Kino and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Guadalajara Fiesta Grill

Guadalajara Fiesta Grill

A Tucson Fire Department crew pour gallons of water on to the burning Guadalajara Fiesta Grill, 750 N Kolb Rd. Parts of the roof had collapsed. Smoke could be seen for miles on Saturday, July 26, 2014.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Fire at Dye Oxgen Co. in 1965

Fire at Dye Oxgen Co. in 1965

An explosion and fire at the Dye Oxygen Co., 120 W. 36th St., on May 26, 1965. 

Art Grasberger / Tucson Citizen

Bum Steer fire

Bum Steer fire

Tucson Fire Department firefighters try to get their ladder maneuvered into position above the flames breaking through the eastern roof while battling a fire at the former Bum Steer, 1910 N. Stone, April 29, 2017. It took almost three hours and more than 40 firefighters, including three ladder trucks, to get the blaze under control. 

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Copper State Chemical fire

Copper State Chemical fire

Fire commands assess a fire at the Copper State Chemical Co, 748 E. 16th St., on July 2, 1970. 

Tucson Citizen file

Copper State Chemical fire

Copper State Chemical fire

Three ladder trucks were used on a fire at the Copper State Chemical Co., 748 E. 16th St., on July 2, 1970. 

Tucson Citizen file

Fire at Old Tucson

Fire at Old Tucson

The fire that destroyed most of the Old Tucson movie set and theme park burns out of control behind a church steeple on April 24, 1995. 

Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star

Fire at Old Tucson

Fire at Old Tucson

Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Arizona Daily Star

Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star

Fire at Old Tucson

Fire at Old Tucson

Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. 

Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star

Grill restaurant fire

Grill restaurant fire

More than 40 firefighters fought a blaze at a vacant restaurant in downtown Tucson early Tuesday morning, Jan 1, 2013. The building, which formerly housed Grill, was heavily damaged. 

Courtesy Tucson Fire Department

Pioneer Hotel fire

Pioneer Hotel fire

Firefighters apply a steady stream of water during the Pioneer Hotel fire , that resulted in 29 deaths. 

Tucson Citizen file

Pioneer Hotel fire

Pioneer Hotel fire

Firefighters on an old Tucson Fire ladder truck help a woman down from the upper floors during the Pioneer Hotel fire on Dec. 20, 1970. 

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Takamatsu fire

Takamatsu fire

Tucson Firefighter D. Champe looks over the charred interior of the Takamatsu restaurant after a 3 a.m. fire destroyed the inside of the Japanese/Korean restaurant on June 22, 2010. The restaurant is located at 5532 E. Speedway Blvd. 

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

East 29th Street fire

East 29th Street fire

Tucson Firefighters battle a stubborn blaze inside a business on the 4900 block of East 29th Street, December 17, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

La Placita parking garage

La Placita parking garage

Tucson firefighters protect exposures to a car fire on the third floor of the La Placita parking garage near the University of Arizona, June 1, 2015. 

Becky Pallack / Arizona Daily Star

Garbage truck fire

Garbage truck fire

Rural/Metro Fire Department firefighters battle a garbage truck blaze on the Alvernon Way exit ramp off eastbound Interstate 10 on June 8, 2017. The truck fire sparked a brushfire that threatened nearby businesses. 

Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Solarium fire

Solarium fire

A Tucson firefighter applies water to a fence that caught fire at the restaurant formerly called the Solarium on May 2, 1999.  

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Solarium fire

Solarium fire

The restaurant formerly known as the Solarium on East Tanque Verde Road, burned to the ground on May 2, 1999.  

David Sanders

Empire Cafe and Lounge

Empire Cafe and Lounge

An Empire Cafe and Lounge worker looks over the entry way to the fire damaged restaurant at 61 E. Congress Street, in 1996. 

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Cathey's Vacuum and Sewing

Cathey's Vacuum and Sewing

Tucson firefighters battle a two-alarm fire at Cathey's Vacuum and Sewing at 5701 E. Speedway on July 24, 1992. 

Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen

A-7D Corsair II jet fighter crash

A-7D Corsair II jet fighter crash

Davis Monthan Air Force Base firefighters spray the area around the engine of an A-7D Corsair II jet fighter after it crashed near the University of Arizona on October 26, 1978 as it was approaching D-M. It crashed on to North Highland Avenue near East Sixth Street missing Mansfeld Junior High School, background, and the UA. A car carrying two sisters was engulfed in flames killing both women. The pilot safely ejected. 

Manuel Miera / Tucson Citizen

Marco Crane and Riggin Co.

Marco Crane and Riggin Co.

Trees go up in flames as the fire spreads west toward Marco Crane and Riggin Co. Friday evening's fire just east of Davis-Monthan Air Force base took hold of three businesses: Pallet Recyclers, Sundt Construction Miitary Division, and Marco Crane and Rigging Co., while Rural Metro and Tucson Fire Department tried to control the flames in 2002. Photo Renee Sauer

Renee Sauer

Maverick nightclub fire

Maverick nightclub fire

Tucson Fire Captain Paul McDonough views the front entrance to the Maverick nightclub. Four firefighters were inside the club's main area when the roof collapsed. The fire, which started at 4:30 a.m., was ruled an arson. 

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Grant Road Lumber fire

Grant Road Lumber fire

Tucson Firefighters at the scene of a fire at Grant Road Lumber on Aug. 25, 1980. 

Jack Dykinga / Arizona Daily Star

Skyline Country Club

Skyline Country Club

Stone figures with urns seem to be standing by to lend a hand as a firefighter sprays the ceiling at Skyline Country Club. Flames made a shambles of the lavishly appointed club house on Sept. 28, 1964. 

Tucson Citizen file

Supreme Cleaners explosion

Supreme Cleaners explosion

Civilians help with the search for victims as Tucson firefighters dump water on the smoldering ruins of Supreme Cleaners, 2232 N. Stone Ave., after a gas explosion on March 29, 1963.

Tucson Citizen file

Desert Diamond parking lot fire

Desert Diamond parking lot fire

''I hate to see my baby go like that. She was perfect,'' Dale Lundeen of Tucson said yesterday afternoon as he watched his 1969 Volkswagen and an adjacent pickup truck burn. A Tohono O'odham Nation firefighter prepares to extinguish the fire at the Desert Diamond Casino, at Los Reales Road and Old Nogales Highway. The fire started in the van, then spread to the Chevrolet S-10 pickup. Lundeen said he had owned the van for 26 years. 

Francisco Medina

Picacho fire

Picacho fire

Simon Buus, a firefighter from Avra Valley Fire Department, sprays down hot spots on Aug. 2, 1996, at the Picacho Restaurant, which burned to the ground from an apparent lightning strike in Picacho, Ariz., near Casa Grande. 

Francisco Medina

McDonald's fire

McDonald's fire

Tucson Fire Department firefighters aim an arc of water at a blaze that destroyed the McDonald's fast-food restaurant at 3232 N. Campbell Ave., in 2001. It took more than 60 firefighters two hours to extinguish the two-alarm fire. 

Val Cañez

Sunset Lumber

Sunset Lumber

Firefighters douse the charred wreckage left on Sept. 16, 1980, by a million-dollar midnight fire. It destroyed lumber and roofing materials at Sunset Lumber Distributors Inc., 970 S. Cherry Ave. 

Tucson Citizen file

Micha's Fine Mexican Foods

Micha's Fine Mexican Foods

A fire at Micha’s Mexican Restaurant on April 13 was concentrated in the kitchen. Part of the roof collapsed.

Tucson Fire Department/

Fire at Micha's Fine Mexican Food

Fire at Micha's Fine Mexican Food

The initial call March 14 did not report a structure fire at Micha’s Mexican Restaurant, only that a fire alarm had been triggered.

Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star

Related to this collection

McSally's bill to lift restrictions at Udall Park OK'd by committee

McSally's bill to lift restrictions at Udall Park OK'd by committee

A 28-year-old mistake has hampered the city from fully developing the park.

Fort Huachuca band deactivation to end century-long tradition

Fort Huachuca band deactivation to end century-long tradition

The Fort Huachuca band will deactivate in 2018 due to Army downsizing.

Allonzo Trier returned to Arizona Wildcats for a 'chance to do something special'

Allonzo Trier returned to Arizona Wildcats for a 'chance to do something special'

Junior guard wants to improve draft position, lead Wildcats to title.

Arizona Daily Star
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Bluesky
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Arizona Daily Star Store
  • This is Tucson
  • Saddlebag Notes
  • Tucson Festival of Books

Sites & Partners

  • E-edition
  • Classifieds
  • Events calendar
  • Careers @ Lee Enterprises
  • Careers @ Gannett
  • Online Features
  • Sponsored Blogs
  • Get Healthy

Services

  • Advertise with us
  • Register
  • Contact us
  • RSS feeds
  • Newsletters
  • Photo reprints
  • Subscriber services
  • Subscription FAQ
  • Licensing
  • Shopping
© Copyright 2026 Arizona Daily Star, PO Box 26887 Tucson, AZ 85726-6887
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Do Not Sell My Info | Cookie Preferences
Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.
  • Notifications
  • Settings
You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Breaking News