One fire was reported to the Holbrook Police Department during the period of Sept. 4-10, according to dispatcher reports.
At approximately 5:34 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, a structure fire was reported at 214 Serna Circle. According to the report, the structure was an old building that had several small bottles of propane that could explode so the surrounding residence were evacuated to ensure safety.
As the area was cordoned off and police and fire personnel were addressing the blaze, a woman identified as Nicanora Marquez, 46, of Holbrook, driving a gray SUV, reportedly entered the scene at a high rate of speed, driving up onto the sidewalk, around an ambulance and marked police vehicles that were blocking the roadway and veered towards a crowd of individuals before coming to a stop.
Marquez exited the vehicle and attempted to run toward the house next to the burning structure, which she stated was her mother’s home, before being stopped by an officer. Marquez became verbally abusive towards the officer, resulting in an arrest for reckless driving and four counts of endangerment. Marquez was later booked into the Navajo County Jail.
As Marquez was being placed under arrest, another woman, Lucille Serna, 75, identified as Marquez’s mother, ran into the scene and charged at the officers. She lost her footing and fell, and when officers reached out to help her, she attempted to bite the officer in the leg. Family of Serna’s were allowed to assist her but once she was on her feet she again charged an officer and bit him on his hand. Serna was then arrested on an unspecified charge. She claimed she was having chest and arm pain and was placed in the care of EMS.
During the fire, a juvenile boy informed an officer that he had accidently set the fire playing with a lighter. No other people were harmed or structure burned due to the incident.
