EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)— An improperly used portable propane camp stove used by an apparent homeless person or persons caused a structure fire in a boarded-up building on Thursday morning, Jan. 23 in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the city’s Fire Department said.
The Alamogordo Fire Department said the fire appears to have been started by squatters who had broken into the building and were trying to keep warm.
The Fire Department said that at 5:12 a.m. on Jan. 23, crews were dispatched to the 600 block of Maryland Avenue for a structure fire. Upon arrival, crews reported that a known “dilapidated structure” had heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the home.
A hose line was pulled to the rear of the structure to provide exposure protection and an initial knockdown, AFD said.
AFD said Alamogordo Police Department officers assisted in evacuating all surrounding structures.
Firefighters had to force their way into the front of the structure to begin a search and use fire suppression tactics, AFD said.
AFD said a primary search cleared the structure from having any fire victims, and the fire was contained with no damage to surrounding buildings or properties.
The AFD Fire Investigations Unit was requested to conduct a fire origin and cause investigation.
The damaged structure was part of Alamogordo’s Dilapidated Structure Program and was boarded up before the fire, AFD said.
AFD said the investigation revealed that “an unknown subject or subjects (assumed to be homeless or transient) forced entry into the rear of the residence. It was apparent that they were squatting inside the structure. The area of origin was found in the rear bedroom of the structure, and it was determined to be caused by a portable propane camp stove being improperly used as a heating appliance.”
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