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Fire crews investigating mobile home fire in Mesa, 1 found dead

Posted at 11:21 AM, Dec 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-29 21:08:01-05

The Mesa Fire Department says one person died in a mobile home fire.

Crews arrived to find a fully engulfed structure near Higley Road and Main Street Thursday afternoon.

After a search of the home, firefighters discovered a deceased female victim, identified as 60-year-old Rosalee Garza.

According to Mesa firefighters, the fire is under control and no other injuries are reported. 

Neighbor William Perry says the owner of the mobile home was visiting at his house when they noticed smoke. He ran toward the house saying he was concerned that a relative of the owner was inside the burning structure.

"I tried to get into the back door, but there was too much smoke," Perry said. "I just couldn't make it, I couldn't do it."

Another relative and firefighters also could not reach Garza. 

"Bless her heart," Perry said. "Being bedridden, she was a pretty big lady, and it was just too hard to get her."

Extra firefighters responded because of the trapped woman and the type of fire. 

"We don't have a whole lot of time when you have a mobile home fire," Mesa Fire Deputy Chief Forrest Smith said. "These tend to be quickly-spreading fires that could lead to fatalities, and unfortunately in this case, that [happened]."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.