2 men found dead in SE ABQ house fire
Firefighters discovered the bodies of two men after extinguishing a blaze at a home in Southeast Albuquerque early Tuesday.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue spokesman Tom Ruiz said it is unclear if the men died as a result of the fire and Albuquerque police are assisting in the investigation.
Crews around 6:45 a.m. responded to the fire at a home in the 700 block of Kathryn SE, near Avenida Cesar Chavez and Interstate 25.
Ruiz said firefighters found smoke billowing from the single-story house and those who tried to search inside were forced to retreat.
“Interior fire crews were met with extreme fire conditions while inside and as a result it was determined to switch from an offensive attack to defensive operations,” he said.
Fire crews made a hole in the attic to get water inside, dousing the flames with 2,000 gallons per minute, he said. After 20 minutes, the fire was “under control” and the home was searched.
“Two bodies were found deceased inside of the home,” he said. “Their identities have not been confirmed and the cause of death is being investigated.”
The incident comes four days after firefighters found a man’s body after putting out a blaze in a mobile home south of Juan Tabo and Southern in Southeast Albuquerque. In that fire, AFR said it was also unclear if the man died as a result of the fire or beforehand.
AFR has dealt with more than 200 structure fires that resulted in several deaths over the past three months.
Ruiz said the department usually sees an average of 50 to 70 structure fires a month but saw 106 in December, with injuries to six people, including a firefighter. In January, there were 103 fires and three deaths.
He said none of those 209 fires have been ruled intentional.
Although Ruiz didn’t give the current number of fires in February, there have been three deaths, including Tuesday’s incident.