The New Mexico Fire Marshals are investigating a structure fire that occurred in Gamerco around 4:30 am Oct. 21.
In an interview with the Sun, McKinley County Sheriff James Maiorano III said his deputies and the Gallup Fire Department were dispatched to 400 Ray St. in the early morning hours. Metro Dispatch had received multiple calls of a large fire and possible explosions in the area. A shed in the resident’s backyard had caught fire.
The fire spread to the porch at the back of the house, and was climbing onto the roof. The homeowner wasn’t home at the time, so MCSO deputies had to notify them of the situation.
The shed was reportedly damaged, but not burned or collapsed by the time the firefighters were able to put it out.
Three people were believed to have been at the residence when the fire started. Two of them have been identified, but at 4 pm MCSO deputies were still trying to find the third person.
No deaths related to the fire were reported.
Mariano said the situation has not been ruled an arson case.
He also said the house was heavily cluttered with trash, which made it difficult to determine where the fire started. There were many flammable materials spread throughout the yard.
This is an ongoing investigation, and more updates will be published when they become available.
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