Royal Crown Fire

Albuquerque Firefighters are currently preparing for a cold weather fire fight into the night at an apartment complex on the city's Southeast side.

Meanwhile, two firefighters injured in the blaze have been released from the hospital and are doing fine.

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

Firefighters entered the front door and advanced a hose line to search for occupants and extinguish the fire. Engine 13 firefighters rescued two occupants from one apartment. A cat was also saved by Firefighters and is doing well at Animal Welfare's East Side Shelter. Animal Welfare found a microchip in the cat, has identified the cat owner and is trying to locate them at this time.

Early in the fight, two firefighters fell through fire weaken floors. The first firefighter fell from the third story to the second. The second firefighter fell from the second floor to the first while trying to render aide to his fallen comrade. The two firefighters were transported to UNM with leg injuries. One of the firefighters had minor burns to the ear. Both have been treated, released and are resting at home.

At 3:40pm, the Incident Commander made the decision to defensively fight the fire from the outside and firefighters were evacuated from the interior of the building.

A 3rd Alarm was called because of the injured firefighters and heavy fire conditions. There are currently 45 firefighters on scene fighting the blaze. Kirtland Air Force Base Fire Department is assisting with crew rotation by providing a ladder truck and crew.

In all, there are 18 fire trucks on scene. Firefighters are still fighting the fire. The gas and power was shut off in the area. Firefighters are coordinating the restoration of gas and electric utilities to nearby homes with utility companies. Because of the freezing temperature.

AFD has activated it's incident support team to provide shelter, hot food and water to firefighters working in freezing temperatures with the assistance of the American Red Cross.

The city's Transit Department has provided two buses - one for firefighters to warm up, the other to transport displaced fire victims to Highland High School, where the Red Cross has set up a shelter.

There are about 75 people who reside in the 47 unit complex. About 25 were transported by city bus to the Red Cross Shelter. The structure is more than likely a complete loss with several collapsed areas. The cause and it's origin is still under investigation. 

AFD expects to remain on scene until late tomorrow morning and Gibson will be closed east of washington and west of San Mateo until fire suppression operations or reduced
Melissa Romero
Public Information Officer
Albuquerque Fire Department
11500 Sunset Gardens SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
505-768-9317