A family in Prescott Valley, Arizona, is mourning the loss of Tammy Dodson, a 58-year-old grandmother who died after suffering severe burns in a backyard fire pit explosion. Her death came on October 4, just one day before her 59th birthday, following 10 days of intensive treatment at a Phoenix burn center.
The incident happened on September 24 while Dodson was spending time with her boyfriend and sister, Tara Carl, around a small, raised metal fire pit in their backyard.
According to Carl, the flames had started to fade when Dodson’s boyfriend allegedly attempted to revive the fire by pouring gasoline onto it. The action reportedly triggered a sudden explosion, sending the gas can flying onto a neighboring home’s roof and leaving Dodson engulfed in flames.
The frightening incident quickly turned an ordinary evening into a family tragedy. Dodson suffered extensive burns and was taken to a specialized burn center in Phoenix, where she remained on a ventilator during her 10-day fight for survival.
Despite receiving medical care, she died from complications related to her thermal injuries. Her death has left her loved ones grieving and struggling to understand how such a devastating accident could happen.
“I’m very angry. She should not have been taken from us the way she was,” Carl said while reflecting on the loss of her sister.
Family Remembers Tammy Dodson as a Loving Mother and Grandmother
Beyond the circumstances of her death, Dodson’s family wants her to be remembered for the love and happiness she brought into their lives.
She was a mother of two, a grandmother to three young children, and a healthcare worker whose family described her as caring, vibrant and full of life. Her children and grandchildren held a special place in her heart, and her sudden death has left a painful absence in their lives.
In a tribute shared by relatives, Dodson was described as someone who brought warmth and energy wherever she went. Her family remembered her not only as a mother and grandmother but also as a sister, aunt and friend who meant a great deal to many people.
Her final days were spent receiving intensive treatment for her injuries, while her family faced the uncertainty of her condition. Now, they are left with the difficult task of saying goodbye and supporting one another through their grief.
A fundraiser has been organized to help cover medical expenses, memorial arrangements and other costs connected to the tragedy. The effort is intended to ease some of the financial pressure on the family as they cope with their loss.
Sister Urges People to Avoid Using Gasoline on Fires
Carl has also spoken out about the dangers of attempting to restart a fire with gasoline or other flammable liquids.
She said she hopes others will learn from what happened to her sister and avoid taking similar risks around outdoor fire pits.
“I don’t want anybody ever to throw gasoline or igniting sources onto fires,” Carl said, expressing disbelief over the circumstances that led to Dodson’s injuries.
Gasoline can release highly flammable vapors that may ignite rapidly when exposed to an existing flame. Pouring fuel onto a fire can cause a sudden flash fire or explosion, potentially spreading flames beyond the fire pit and putting nearby people at serious risk.
Fire safety guidance recommends never adding gasoline or other flammable liquids to an existing fire. If an outdoor fire begins to die down, it is safer to allow it to burn out naturally or follow the fire pit manufacturer’s instructions rather than attempting to reignite it with fuel.
For Dodson’s family, the warning comes from a deeply personal tragedy. They hope that sharing her story will help prevent another family from experiencing a similar loss.
Police Continue Investigating the Fatal Incident
Prescott Valley police confirmed that the incident occurred during an attempt to reignite a backyard fire pit. A man who was at the property also sustained injuries, although he was not taken to the hospital.
Authorities have not announced a final conclusion regarding the circumstances of the explosion, and the investigation remains ongoing. No final determination about potential criminal charges has been publicly announced.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Dodson’s death accidental, listing the cause as complications of thermal injuries. The medical examiner’s report, however, was still incomplete at the time of the latest available information.
As investigators continue examining the incident, Dodson’s loved ones are focusing on remembering the woman she was before the tragedy.
Her death, coming so close to her 59th birthday, has made an already painful loss even more difficult for those who knew and loved her. For her children, grandchildren and extended family, the days ahead will be about honoring her memory while adjusting to a life without someone they cherished so deeply.
