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OATMAN – More than 10 agencies sent firefighters and other resources to a Thursday fire in the historic mining town of Oatman. Mohave Valley Fire Department Chief Ted Martin said the response began at 9:50 p.m. when it was first reported that the Oatman Hotel was on fire.
Martin said arriving personnel discovered that the fire was on the other side of the street from the hotel, and burning up through the roof of the Olive Oatman Restaurant & Saloon. No one occupied the business at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
“Everybody knows how old that town is and how dry that town is,” said Martin, who noted that manpower and resources are in short supply.
“There is not enough water in that community to be able to support any type of fire attack, so we had to bring water,” Martin said. He said about 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of water was shuttled in to battle the blaze.
Martin said crews confined the flames to the building of origin and prevented fire spread to other structures. “Everyone did a great job,” he said.
Martin said the building was heavily damaged. He said the fire is not considered to be suspicious, but that its cause remains under investigation.
Dave Hawkins
