SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
One dead after fatal Las Cruces explosion
Federal agents investigating Thursday morning blast that destroyed a residence and displaced neighbors
Published
Modified
LAS CRUCES 鈥� Las Cruces firefighters and at least one agent from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sifted through the twisted and charred wreckage of a residence Friday afternoon after an explosion Thursday morning.
An ashy aroma pervaded the quiet block near Interstate 25 amid a mix of apartments and single-family housing, with narrow gaps between many properties.
The incident took place on Fairway Drive near Don Roser Drive. The road was initially closed all the way to Telshor Boulevard but on Friday the road was open to thru-traffic, with access to the property cordoned off and a large commercial dumpster set up in front of the house.
One person was found deceased inside the residence Thursday and was taken to the state Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for an autopsy. The individual was not identified as of Friday afternoon.
Emergency callers reported an explosion shortly after 11 a.m., Las Cruces police said. The fire consumed a single-story residence and collapsed the roof of a garage where two vehicles were parked.
An adjacent two-story residence sustained structural damage police reported was minimal. Three residents of that property were reportedly displaced and received services from the American Red Cross, while other neighbors were temporarily evacuated Thursday as a precaution.
A suspected cause of the fire was not reported as the investigation continued Friday afternoon.
Algernon 顿鈥橝尘尘补蝉蝉补 is the Journal鈥檚 southern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at adammassa@abqjournal.com.
