Apartment fire

AFD responded to the Royal Crown Apartment Complex at 4801 Gibson SE at 3:00pm. First units on scene reported a tremendous amount of smoke and flame on the North side of the complex burning from the 2nd floor extending to the 3rd floor.

Units entered the front door with a hose line to search for occupants and the fire. Engine 13 crew rescued two uninjured occupants from one apartment. A cat was also saved by FF's and is doing well.

Shortly after, four FF's fell through the 2nd story floor and landed on the first. Two FF's were transported to UNM with both leg injuries and one with minor burns to the ear. Both are in stable condition.

At 3:40pm, the Commander made the decision to fight the fire at from the outside, FF were immediately evacuated.

A 3rd Alarm was called because of the heavy fuel load and large complex. 75+ FF's are on scene fighting this fire.

The fire continues to burn with 1/2 of the complex affected by fire.

21 residents of the 47 unit complex were transported to the Red Cross shelter at Highland High School to keep the residents out of the cold. 

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