From Fire Chief James Breen:
At 10:22pm, AFD received a 911 call for a well involved apartment building fire at
The fire originated in a first floor apartment of a 2 story, 8 unit apartment building. The fire apartment was occupied by a mother and four children.
Prior to the arrival of AFD, the mother was able to evacuate and rescue three of her children and attempted to enter the apartment to find the last child but by this time extreme fire conditions prevented re-entry.
Within 4 minutes of the 911 call, AFD Engine 15 and Rescue 15 arrived on scene and reported heavy flames and smoke rolling out of the 1st and 2nd story windows and doors, indicating that the 1st story apartment was fully involved in fire and that fire had rapidly spread to the 2nd story apartments.
Firefighters entered the fire apartment to extinguish the fire and to search for the missing infant but were forced out by intense heat and heavy smoke. In a valiant effort, Paramedics from Rescue 15 made entry through a window to save the infant but were forced out by a collapsing roof and ceiling.
At this time, advanced fire conditions and an unstable structure forced the incident commander to launch a defensive attack. The fire was declared under control at 10:50pm. At this time firefighters re-entered the structure and located the 1 year old infant in a rear bedroom. Advanced fire conditions and toxic fire gases in the form of smoke strongly suggest that infant’s life was lost prior to the arrival of firefighters.
Four of the eight apartments were completely destroyed by the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, as a child was found to be playing with fire.
The members of the Albuquerque Fire Department take every fire loss personally and collectively feel the pain of this tragic loss of life.
The threat of fire is ever present in our daily lives and the AFD wants members of our community to know that the best defense against fire is in the prevention of fires. Fire does not discriminate; it is a threat to all of us.
Given this loss, the AFD feels it’s prudent to highlight the measures that have proven to make the greatest impact in preventing fires and saving lives when fire is present.
- Everyone should ensure they have a properly installed, operational smoke detector in their home to provide early warning to occupants to get out. Properly installed, operational smoke detectors reduce the chance of dying in a fire by nearly half.
- We should keep matches and cigarette lighters out of the reach of children.
- When fire is discovered, immediately evacuate your family from the building and call 911 once safely outside. The time frames for occupant survival are counted in seconds, and not in minutes.
- Families should practice evacuation drills in residential homes. This is particularly helpful for children.
- When fire is present, occupants should close interior and exterior doors as they exit to limit the spread of flames and toxic smoke.
- Once out of the structure, stay out! Firefighters have the training and special equipment to enter the structure for extinguishment and rescue.
T.J. Wilham
Public Safety Communications Director
City of
Office of Mayor Richard J. Berry
Cell – 505-350-4685
Office – 505-768-3327
www.cabq.gov/public-safety
