Explosion and fire at Arizona Development Services, LLC, a marijuana cultivation facility in Coolidge, Arizona causes $100,000 in damages

Chemical-Fueled Explosion Causes Fire at Marijuana Facility
Authorities are investigating a fire that happened at Arizona Development Services, a marijuana cultivation facility.


August 14, 2018

Chemical-Fueled Explosion Causes Fire at Marijuana Facility

COOLIDGE, Ariz. (AP) — 

Authorities are investigating a fire that happened at Arizona Development Services, a marijuana cultivation facility.


The Casa Grande Dispatch reports the Coolidge Fire Department responded to the facility around 6:51 p.m. on Sunday.


Fire Chief Mark Dillon says the call initially came in as a fire caused by a lightning strike, but crews later discovered that the fire was actually coming from an internal source.


Fire officials say the materials led to an explosion within the building.

No one was inside the building at the time of the incident.

Crews managed to put out the fire shortly after 7:30 p.m., but that was not before it managed to do significant damage to the structure.

Dillon says initial damage estimates will likely be in the range of $100,000. 

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COOLIDGE, AZ —


A fire that occurred over the weekend at Arizona Development Services, a marijuana cultivation facility, is under investigation.

The Coolidge Fire Department responded to the facility, located near the intersection of Coolidge Avenue and Macrae Road, at around 6:51 p.m. on Sunday.


Fire Chief Mark Dillon said the call initially came in as a fire caused by a lightning strike. Upon arriving on scene, however, crews discovered that the fire was actually coming from an internal source.

“After the initial investigation we determined it was not lightning that stuck the facility,” he said. “It was improperly stored hazardous materials.”


Fire officials said that the materials led to an explosion within the building.

No one was inside the building at the time of the incident.

Crews managed to put out the fire shortly after 7:30 p.m., but that was not before it did significant damage to the structure. While CFD has not completed its investigation, Dillon indicated that initial damage estimates will likely be in the range of $100,000.

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AZ Development Services LLC. 

Located on what was once the LaPaglia farm in the western part of Coolidge, the area is now the center of another type of agricultural endeavor: medical marijuana farming.


AZ Development Services is strictly a grow facility, which currently services only one local dispensary — Health for Life in Mesa. As such, the company leases its license to grow the plant from the dispensary.

Based on the way the law is written, all the product grown inside the facility is technically owned by that dispensary.

“All I do is grow the plant,” he said. “I harvest it, I cure it and when it comes time for delivery I make a phone call, he comes down, we do all the necessary paperwork and he takes it all.”

At about 7,000 square feet, the facility is relatively small.

California Highway Patrol officer Kirk Griess, and Jaime Bueza Manuel, 49 died during a traffic stop after being struck on Interstate 80 in California when a white Chevrolet pickup truck veered towards the side and crashed into Griess and the SUV

California Highway Patrol officer Kirk Griess, died during a traffic stop  after being struck on Interstate 80 in California when a white Chevrolet pickup truck veered towards the side and crashed into Griess and the SUV

A California Highway Patrol officer died from his injuries following a “significant traffic accident” on a highway in Fairfield Friday morning, according to CHP. 

Officer Kirk Griess, died at the North Bay Medical Center after being struck on Interstate 80 at North Texas Street, according to CHP Moorpark. 

Aerial footage of the scene showed two wrecked vehicles and a CHP motorcycle in pieces. The condition of the other drivers are unknown.

“He was at the prime of his career making a difference,” said CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Ernie Sanchez. 

“Today that’s what he was doing keeping the freeways even safer.” 

Griess was on a traffic stop behind a Saturn SUV on the right shoulder of the highway near Manuel Campos Parkway, said CHP Golden Gate. 

For unknown reasons, a white Chevrolet pickup truck veered towards the side and crashed into Griess and the SUV. 

“The driver of a three by four ton pickup left the main portion of the roadway traveled onto the shoulder and struck Officer Griess,” said Sanchez. 

The drivers were transported to a nearby hospital where one of them died. 

Griess leaves behind a wife and two daughters, and a young son.

“Officer Griess is going to be dearly missed he was the ultimate public servant He loved what he did.” 

“He loved being a CHP Officer,” said Sanchez. 

“This is very difficult for me, he’s a friend and a great man.” 

If anyone witnessed this traffic collision they are asked to contact the CHP – Golden Gate Division Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) tip-line at 707-917-4357.

The California Association of Highway Patrolman (CAHP) has created a memorial fund in honor of fallen CHP Motor Officer Kirk Griess. 

Donations can be made through the CAHP Credit Union website. 

The former Marine Corps veteran is survived by his wife, two daughters, 25 and 21, and 14-year-old son.


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FAIRFIELD, CA (CBS SF) — 

A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer and a motorist were killed Friday in a horrific accident during a traffic stop along Interstate 80 in Fairfield, authorities said.

CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Ernie Sanchez told reporters that CHP officer Kirk Griess — a 19-year veteran — and motorist he had pulled over were on the right shoulder of I-80 when another vehicle slammed into them.



CHP Officer Kirk Griess (Fairfield Police Dept.)

“He (officer Griess) was conducting an enforcement stop involving another vehicle, in this case it was a Saturn, (and) for unknown reasons the driver of a three-quarter ton pickup truck left the main portion of the roadway, traveled onto the shoulder and struck officer Griess…as well as the motorist who was still in the Saturn,” Sanchez said.


Wrecked CHP motorcycle following a crash on Interstate 80 in Fairfield, August 10, 2018. (CBS)

Both of the injured were transported to a local hospital in Fairfield “where unfortunately, both passed away.”

The driver of the truck was also injured. Sanchez said he was being interviewed at the hospital and cooperating with investigators.

“It’s a tough day for the California Highway Patrol,” he said. “It’s a tough day for the state of California.”

The 46-year-old Griess, who’s a military veteran, is survived by his wife, Keri; adult daughters, Kadi and Kaci; and son, Kole, 14.

The driver of the SUV who was killed was identified as 49-year-old Jaime Bueza Manuel of Vallejo.

Gregory Dean Jenkins, 57, of Eugene, OR owner-operator at Signs By Catwalkers, died as he was working tetherless on a billboard near Grand Ronde when he lost his balance and fell about 75 feet to the ground

Gregory Dean Jenkins, 57, of Eugene, OR owner-operator at Signs By Catwalkers, died as he was working tetherless on a billboard near Grand Ronde when he lost his balance and fell about 75 feet to the ground

A leader in the Outdoor Advertising industry

• Owner-operator at Catwalkers
• Studied Mathematics and Physics at Oregon State University
• Went to Winston Churchill High School, Eugene, Oregon
• Lives in Eugene, Oregon
• From Eugene, Oregon
• Single

Polk County, OR

A Eugene man fell to his death Friday while working on a billboard in Polk County. He was tetherless.


According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Gregory Jenkins, 57, of Eugene was working on a billboard near Grand Ronde when he lost his balance and fell about 75 feet to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies believe Jenkins may not have had his safety harness tethered to the platform. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death.

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Grand Ronde, Ore. – On 08/10/18 at about 1:50 p.m. the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an injured person, due to an accidental fall, near Grand Ronde in Polk County. Subsequent to the investigation Deputies determined that 57 year old Gregory Jenkins from Eugene, Oregon was working on a billboard when he lost balance and fell approximately 75 feet to the ground below. Mr. Jenkins died at the scene.

Through the investigation and witness statements it was determined that Mr. Jenkins was not tethered to the platform with his safety harness. Investigators from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) responded to the scene as well to complete their investigation of an on the job death.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the West Valley Fire Department and the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department.



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Obituary for Gregory Dean Jenkins

Gregory Dean Jenkins, 57, a resident of Eugene died Friday, August 10, 2018. He was born in Sacramento, California on March 17, 1961 the son of Donald Lee and Sharon Lee Streeter Jenkins. He moved with his family to Eugene where he attended schools and graduated from Churchill High School in 1979. Greg attended the Oregon State University studying engineering but has always been a huge Duck fan. He worked with the Signs By Catwalkers for 40 years putting up billboard advertisements. He was an enthusiast of football, scuba diving, waterskiing, herbology and cats.

He is survived by his daughter Christina Jenkins, parents Don and Sharon Jenkins, brothers Darin Jenkins and Kevin Jenkins, sister-in-law Ivanka Jenkins, nephew Anthony Jenkins along with aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life is being planned. The Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be sent to www.dallastribute.com.