Drop house discovered after Jeep catches fire

BY JEFFREY GAUTREAUX, SUN STAFF WRITER
May 9, 2006

A vehicle fire led authorities to a drop house with 45 illegal aliens hiding inside Monday.

At 10:46 p.m., the Yuma Fire Department responded to 2707 Mesa Avenue and found a 1989 Jeep Cherokee engulfed in flames in the back yard and endangering the residence.

While the vehicle was burning, a Yuma Police officer went up to the door to warn any occupants to get out because the fire might spread to the home, according to Yuma sector Border Patrol spokesman Rick Hays.

"While the YPD officer was trying to get people out of the house, he discovered a violation of law," Hays said.

Border Patrol was called in and the case was referred to them. Hays said the 45 people did not leave the residence, but YFD quickly extinguished the blaze before it reached the house.

Agents took the group to the Yuma station for processing. Hays said they were all from Mexico.