A massive fire that ripped through a construction site south of the University of Arizona caused an estimated $1 million in damage, putting a student housing project in limbo.
The fire, which was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning near East Broadway and North Tyndall Avenue, destroyed major portions of the construction site for the multistory student housing project.
Fire investigators combed through the site for hours Tuesday to no avail, working to determine the cause and origin of the blaze that partially melted a construction crane and toppled power lines.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the blaze would affect the construction timeline on The Mark student housing complex, scheduled for completion in fall 2019.
The fire burns behind part of the Tucson skyline. The housing project was scheduled for completion in 2019. No injuries were reported.
“We’re still in the process of assessing total damages and their implications on our development timeline and working with local authorities to determine the cause of the fire,” a spokesman for Landmark Properties told the Star in an email.
Dozens of people were also evacuated from an apartment complex across the street, where radiating heat from the fire melted windows and paint and damaged at least 15 vehicles, said Capt. Hector Carpio, a Tucson Fire Department spokesman.
The coolers on the roof of the complex were also damaged, according to University Vista Apartments manager Sandra Rogers.
Those living in the damaged units of the apartment building will not be able to return to their homes until Wednesday at the earliest, Rogers said.
Tucson Fire Department Capt. Barrett Baker, right, speaks with a Southwest Gas representative at the University Vista apartments following a 2-alarm fire at Broadway and Tyndall on June 19, 2018, in Tucson, AZ. The apartments, located on the north side of the fire, were evacuated. Cars, blinds, metal siding and palm trees were melted and scorched by the intense heat of the fire.
According to the Red Cross, the owners of the apartment complex paid for hotel rooms for three residents. The other residents had alternative places to stay for the night.
Tucson firefighters went to the construction site after a call reporting smoke in the area. Flames were noticeable from as far as Alvernon Way and Valencia Road, the release said.
After firefighters arrived at the scene, they called a second alarm, asking for more units and firefighters to assist in battling the blaze on the three-story wood frame structure, the release said.
It took 17 units and 60 firefighters more than an hour to bring the blaze under control, the release said.
No injuries were reported.
Photos: Huge fire destroys Tucson student housing project
The Mark student housing complex
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Crews work to clear burned debris from The Mark student housing construction site on July 10, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz.
The Mark student housing complex
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A 2-alarm fire began at the site on June 19, at the corner of Broadway and Tyndall. Vehicles across the street from the fire were affected, and still remain.
The Mark student housing complex
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Crews work to clear burned debris from The Mark student housing construction site on July 10, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz.
The Mark student housing complex
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A crewmember looks through debris from The Mark student housing construction site on July 10, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz.
The Mark student housing complex
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A melted "detour" sign in front of the Mark student housing construction site on July 10, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz.
The Mark student housing complex
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A melted "detour" sign in front of the Mark student housing construction site on July 10, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz.
Two-alarm fire
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Fire engulfs The Mark, a private student housing project under construction behind the Tucson skyline on the northwest corner of Park Ave. and Broadway Road in Tucson on June 19, 2018.
Tyndall fire
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Fire inspectors with Tucson Fire Dept. and Tucson Police Dept. examine burn patterns on the stairwell structure of an apartment building and parking garage following a 2-alarm fire at Broadway Blvd and Tyndall Ave on June 19, 2018 in Tucson, AZ. The 3-story wooden frame apartment structure was burned to the ground.
Two-alarm fire at The Mark
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Fire engulfs the crane at The Mark, a private student housing project under construction on the northwest corner of Park Ave. and Broadway Road in Tucson on June 19, 2018. Photo taken from Manlove Street and Santa Rita Ave.
Two-alarm fire at The Mark
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Embers rain down from a fire at The Mark, a private student housing project under construction on the northwest corner of Park Ave. and Broadway Road in Tucson on June 19, 2018. Photo taken from Manlove Street and Santa Rita Ave.
Tyndall fire
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Melted chairs sit in the yard across the street from a 2-alarm fire at Broadway Blvd and Tyndall Ave on June 19, 2018 in Tucson, AZ. The trailer was carrying wooden wall structures.
Tyndall fire
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An inspector with Stafford Crane Group examines the integrity of one of the two cranes on the construction site a 2-alarm fire at Broadway Blvd and Tyndall Ave on June 19, 2018 in Tucson, AZ. The cranes sustained some damage but both were considered safe from collapse and not an immediate danger, according to TFD Battalion Chief Barrett Baker.
The Mark
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Computer rendering of The Mark student housing project, under construction at Broadway Road and Park Avenue. The Mark will feature one eight-story building, two four-story buildings, and one five-story parking deck.
Tucson construction fire
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Smoke was reported in the area of Broadway and Euclid Avenue about 2 a.m. and a fire at a construction site there quickly grew, Tucson fire officials said Tuesday.
Two-alarm fire at The Mark
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Fire engulfs the crane at The Mark, a private student housing project under construction on the northwest corner of Park Ave. and Broadway Road in Tucson on June 19, 2018. Photo taken from Manlove Street and Santa Rita Ave.
Two-alarm fire at The Mark
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Embers rain down from a fire at The Mark, a private student housing project under construction on the northwest corner of Park Ave. and Broadway Road in Tucson on June 19, 2018. Photo taken from Manlove Street and Santa Rita Ave.
Two-alarm fire at The Mark
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Fire engulfs The Mark, a private student housing project under construction on the northwest corner of Park Ave. and Broadway Road in Tucson on June 19, 2018. Photo taken from Manlove Street and Santa Rita Ave.
Tucson construction fire
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Smoke was reported in the area of Broadway and Euclid Avenue about 2 a.m. and a fire at a construction site there quickly grew, Tucson fire officials said Tuesday.
Tucson Construction Fire
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Smoke was reported in the area of Broadway and Euclid Avenue about 2 a.m. and a fire at a construction site there quickly grew, Tucson fire officials said Tuesday.
Overnight fire engulfs Tucson construction site south of UA campus
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Smoke was reported in the area of Broadway and Euclid Avenue about 2 a.m. and a fire at a construction site there quickly grew, Tucson fire officials said Tuesday. The blaze was quickly upgraded to two alarms. Crews were still working on it later this morning.
Tyndall fire
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Tucson Fire Department Battalion Chief Barrett Baker, right, speaks with a gas company representative at the University Vista apartments following a 2-alarm fire at Broadway Blvd and Tyndall Ave on June 19, 2018 in Tucson, AZ. The apartments, located on the north side of the fire, were evacuated during the early morning fire. Cars, blinds, metal siding and palm trees were melted and scorched by the intense heat of the fire.
Tyndall fire
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The bottom plates of wall sections were among the few things that did not burn during a 2-alarm fire at Broadway Blvd and Tyndall Ave on June 19, 2018 in Tucson, AZ. The 3-strory wooden frame apartment structure under construction was burned to the ground.
Tyndall fire
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The remains of a Stop sign and street signs on the corner of 10th Street and Tyndall Ave. following a 2-alarm on June 19, 2018 in Tucson, AZ.
Tucson construction fire
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Damage to a small storage area belonging to Gary Poczulp is slight after a fire across the street at an apartment complex destroyed the building around 2 a.m. in Tucson on June 19, 2018. The fire was located along East Broadway Boulevard, between North Tyndal and Park Avenues. Contents inside Poczulp's structure were spared and damage was kept at a minimum and only destroyed the doorway and garbage container. In addition to the loss of the building, the two alarm blaze destroyed a crane, a semi truck and other equipment. An adjacent apartment complex was evacuated after the fire damaged the structure and melted several vehicles. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson construction fire
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Only the exhaust pipe next to the cab of a semi truck is barely recognizable at the site of an apartment complex that caught fire around 2 a.m. in Tucson, on June 19, 2018. The truck was next to the apartment complex which was under construction. The fire was located along East Broadway Boulevard, between North Tyndal and Park Avenues. A thorough investigation by the Tucson Fire Department is pending until the damaged crane can be secured.In addition to the loss of the building, the two alarm blaze destroyed a crane, a semi truck and other equipment. An adjacent apartment complex was evacuated after the fire damaged the structure and melted several vehicles. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson construction fire
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Numerous melted cars sit across the street from an apartment complex that caught fire on June 19, 2018. The fire was located along East Broadway Boulevard, between North Tyndal and Park Avenues. In addition to the loss of the building, the two alarm blaze destroyed a crane, a semi truck and other equipment. The apartment complex was evacuated at the time of the fire. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson construction fire
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Paint is blistered and the window blinds are distorted after an apartment complex across the street that was under construction caught fire around 2 a.m. on June 19, 2018. The fire was located along East Broadway Boulevard, between North Tyndal and Park Avenues. In addition to the loss of the building, the two alarm blaze destroyed a crane, a semi truck and other equipment. The fire also damaged several vehicles at the apartment which as evacuated during the fire. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson construction fire
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The charred remains of a semi truck, right, are all that is left after an apartment complex under construction caught fire around 2 a.m. on June 19, 2018. The fire was located along East Broadway Boulevard, between North Tyndal and Park Avenues. A thorough investigation is pending until the damaged crane can be secured. In addition to the loss of the building, the two alarm blaze destroyed a crane and other equipment. An adjacent apartment complex was evacuated after the fire damaged the structure and melted several vehicles. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson construction fire
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Tucson Firefighters stand near the remains of an apartment complex under construction that caught fire around 2 a.m. on June 19, 2018. The fire was located along East Broadway Boulevard, between North Tyndal and Park Avenues. In addition to the loss of the building, the two alarm blaze destroyed a crane, upper right, a semi truck and other equipment. A thorough investigation is pending until the damaged crane can be secured. An adjacent apartment complex was evacuated after the fire damaged the structure and melted several vehicles. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson construction fire
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Smoke was reported in the area of Broadway and Euclid Avenue about 2 a.m. and a fire at a construction site there quickly grew, Tucson fire officials said Tuesday.
Watch: Tucson Fire Department shows scene of construction fire
UpdatedAn on-scene look at this morning’s two alarm fire. Extreme temperatures damaged nearby buildings, cars, and cranes but we’re thankful no one was injured. #tfd pic.twitter.com/tTablw387F
— Tucson Fire Department (@TucsonFirePIO) June 19, 2018
Tyndall fire
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The smoke could be seen from 22nd and Kolb
Tyndall fire
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During the time frame we were there it was observed that both cranes as well as nearby palm trees were catching as well
Tyndall fire
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Raging Fire at 2:45 in the morning.
TFD Technical Rescue Team
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Capt. Brad DeCastro takes the last step off the boom as he rappel's down 120 feet as the Tucson Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team trains for a rescue on a Stafford Tower Crane of America crane on the UEB Builders job site at Park Ave. and Broadway, Saturday, January 27, 2018, Tucson, Ariz. The TRT were practicing rescuing an incapacitated crane operator from the 12 story crane currently helping build The Mark student housing structure. "This opportunity was given to us (by Stafford and UEB) and we're taking advantage of it," said TFD information officer Capt. Julian Herrera.
TFD Technical Rescue Team
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Tucson Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team sends their "victim", paramedic trainee Chris Roylance, on his way down 120 feet while training for a rescue on a Stafford Tower Crane of America crane on the UEB Builders job site at Park Ave. and Broadway, Saturday, January 27, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
TFD Technical Rescue Team
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Firefighter Jake Connor sets up an attachment point on a Stafford Tower Crane of America crane on the UEB Builders job site, 120 feet above Park Ave. and Broadway, as the Tucson Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team trains for a tower crane rescue, Saturday, January 27, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
TFD Technical Rescue Team
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Firefighter Brett Bradshaw takes a quick photo of the view from 120 above the city as the Tucson Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team trains on a Stafford Tower Crane of America crane on the UEB Builders job site at Park Ave. and Broadway, Saturday, January 27, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
The Mark
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Rollings Chrysler-Plymouth, 901 E. Broadway in Tucson, shown in 1978, used to occupy the space that is now part of The Mark student housing project that was partially destroyed in a huge fire on June 19, 2018.
