Six people were displaced after a stolen construction tractor plowed through two Rita Ranch homes, igniting a fire in one of them, authorities said.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday, a woman called 911 saying that a tractor had crashed through two walls into her southeast-side home and then started a fire, according to a Tucson Fire Department news release.
The family of three in the 8700 block of South Desert Rainbow Drive was able to evacuate safely on its own.
Auto-theft detectives from Tucson Police Department are investigating the incident. A construction site is near the homes, but it’s unclear if the tractor was stolen from there, said department spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Bay.
When firefighters arrived at the home, in the area of South Houghton Road and East Old Vail Road, they found a heavy-duty tractor, similar to a trackhoe, running and thick black smoke inside the house.
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Neighboring homes were evacuated. As the fire spread quickly to the home’s attic, crews were unable to access the tractor because of tight space and the fire above, the release said.
While fighting the attic fire, the tractor broke free and crashed through one of the remaining walls into a neighbor’s house, where it became stuck again. A small fire in the tractor started, but crews quickly extinguished it and a firefighter shut off the vehicle’s fuel valve.
All efforts were returned to extinguishing the blaze in the attic and the fire was brought under control about 30 minutes after crews arrived, the release said.
Anna Schreiber lived in the second home with her boyfriend and adult son. “I thought I was dreaming at first. I didn’t believe it,” Schreiber told The Associated Press.
Schreiber said her son and boyfriend first thought the loud noise next door was a broken air conditioner in their three-bedroom rental house. The family soon realized what was happening and left the house. They were at a safe distance outside when the tractor moved toward their home.
“You don’t think anything is going to happen,” she said. “I’m still trying to absorb all of it.”
The displaced families are being assisted by Red Cross. The homes were condemned due to heavy damage.
Police are looking for witnesses and anyone with information can call 911 or 88-CRIME (882-7463).
