Washington Middle School Evacuated

AFD units responded to Washington Middle School shortly after 9:00am this morning to the report of smoke inside the building. All 650 personnel and students self-evacuated in an organized and smooth manner prior to our arrival.

The first arriving unit reported smoke coming from the roof. Crews entered through the front door and found light smoke throughout the school. Units also laddered the building and found tar smoking on the NW side of the roof.  The smoke seeped into the school through an opening. Roof repair was taking place at the school.

No injuries were reported and the evacuees will be allowed to return to normal school activities as soon as the smoke has been dispelled using the HVAC system.
Melissa Romero
Public Information Officer
Albuquerque Fire Department
11500 Sunset Gardens SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505-768-9317

Apartment Fire

AFD crews responded to a house fire that contained three apartments on the 200 Block of Cornell SE shortly after 4:00pm.

First units on scene reported heavy black smoke coming from the home. All three occupants self-evacuated prior to our arrival. Crews extended their hose line through the front door searching for the fire, the seat of the fire was discovered in the kitchen area and was extinguished within 15 min.

Heavy fire damage to bathroom and kitchen and smoke damage to one apartment only. The two other apartments were not damaged.

An older black lab was rescued by Lt. Chris Wilson and found to be uninjured.

Cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by AFD.
Melissa Romero
Public Information Officer
Albuquerque Fire Department
11500 Sunset Gardens SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505-768-9317

City View Fire

AFD Engine 7 was dispatched to the area of Sunset and City View SW this morning at 11:02am to investigate the report of smoke.

A neighbor directed E-7 to the 700 block of City View Dr SW. Upon arrival, the crew found light smoke on the roof and through outside vents.

The Captain immediately called for a full dispatch. E-7 made entry through the front door and found heavy smoke throughout the trailer. While the crew were searching for victims and advancing the hose line, they found two deceased bodies.

After completing their search, AFD Fire Investigation and APD Violent Crimes were called. The fire was extinguished within 35 min.

AFD Fire Investigation and APD Violent Crimes are working together to determine how the fire started and how the victims died.

Melissa Romero
Public Information Officer
Albuquerque Fire Department
11500 Sunset Gardens SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505-768-9317

First Baptist Church Fire

At 11:18pm last night, Engine 2 was dispatched to the report of smoke in
the area of Central and Broadway. Engine 2 arrived and found moderate
smoke in First Baptist Church at 101 Broadway NE and called for a full
dispatch. E-2 was in the process of advancing a hose line when Lt. Paul
Chavez experienced smoke inhalation and was transported to Presbyterian
for evaluation and remained at the hospital overnight for observation.

The additional units arrived and found heavy smoke and flame throughout
the 4-story building. A 2nd Alarm was dispatched due to the heavy fire
involvement and size of the building. Seventy + fire fighters contained
the fire to the first three stories within two hours. Heavy smoke and
fire damage to three floors and minor smoke damage to the fourth.

The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by AFD and ATF.
Federal law requires ATF to investigate any Church damaged by fire.

FF's Catch Burglar at Fire Station

This morning a man was caught rifling through a FF's motorcycle tank bag in the bay at Fire Station 6.

Lt. Max Montgomery walked in the bay and asked the man what he was doing and why he was in the bay.  He said he wasn't doing anything and denied taking anything or being in the tank bag.

The crew detained him until APD arrived. The police officer then conducted a search of the man and found an item from the tank bag belonging to Max Montgomery.  APD arrested the man and returned the Fire Fighters belongings. 
Melissa Romero
Public Information Officer
Albuquerque Fire Department
11500 Sunset Gardens SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505-768-9317