Albuquerque –
At around 1:50 PM, Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to a large commercial structure fire at 1760 Menaul Rd NE*. At least 14 Albuquerque Fire Rescue units are currently on the scene battling the two alarm blaze. These include Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2, Engine 4, Engine 6, Engine 13, Engine 19, Ladder 1, Ladder 13, Public Information Officer, Rescue 4, Rescue 13, Squad 2, and Squad 3. AFR has aerial units fighting the fire as flames are coming through the roof. They are adding additional aerial operations on the east side of the structure as of 2:40 PM.
NM Gas said there is no active gas to this property. PNM informed AFR that the lines around the area are live. PNM is reportedly going to shut down power to the area – possibly the entire block.
The Albuquerque Police Department, Police Service Aides (PSAs) and Transit Security are on scene helping block access to the building and direct traffic. From what we can gather, Menaul and University are presently blocked off.
If we learn more about this fire, the cause, or any other information we will update you.
*The fire appears to be located at 1780 Menaul Rd NE, according to the video footage shared by AFR and others. We have reached out to AFR to confirm the location of the blaze but their PIO is presently on scene.
UPDATE:
Since we posted this story, more AFR units were dispatched including Battalion Chiefs 1, 2, and 3, as well as Engines 1, 3, 4, 6, 13, and 19, Ladder Trucks 1, 5, and 13, the Electrical and Gas crews, Rescue Units 4, 6, 13, and 19, Squads 1, 2, and 3, AFR’s Public Information Officer, and the QI78 which is a EMS/Paramedic Captain Supervisor.
UPDATE 2:
This is the update we received from AFR around 6:00 PM:
On Monday, October 14th 2024, at approximately 1:50 pm, Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to a vacant commercial building located at 1780 and 1800 Menaul Rd. NE for a report of a gas leak which changed to a working fire after the E-13 arrived on scene and saw smoke and flames coming from this building. A second alarm was called and a total of 24 AFR units responded to this incident. The fire was brought under control within 2 hours and 30 minutes of their arrival. Damage to the structure was significant and will be a total loss. No injuries to civilians or firefighters was reported. The cause of fire is under investigation. Fire Investigators did respond to the event. No additional information available at this time.
Photos from Jeff Hartzer: https://www.instagram.com/abqonscene/
Video from Jeff Hartzer: https://www.instagram.com/abqonscene/
Video from Jeff Hartzer: https://www.instagram.com/abqonscene/
The whole Menaul corridor from 12th Street East to San Mateo has gone to crap thanks to the “unhoused”. Any vacant structure is at risk. Sad to see what was once the war zone is expanding North like a cancer. The street drugs are destroying lives and now property. Our city has a serious mental health issue.
In September 2023, the insurance on my 8-unit apartment complex in the International Drugs District went up 45%. The insurance on my house which is a half-mile outside the IDD went up 4%.
What has changed in the past few years? The rapid increase in drug addicts living on the streets of the war zones of ABQ. In a survey of over 200 US city fire depts, AFD was the 18th busiest FD. The Fire engine at San Mateo/Southern was the 7th busiest fire engine in the survey. Liberals complain that the war on drugs was a disaster. For who? The drug addicts. Now you can shoot up or smoke whatever and wherever you like. Drug deals are out in the open. Albuquerque Criminal Safety may come by to make the addicts don’t OD or get hurt in some other way. Meanwhile, businesses/apartments/homes are boarded up or burnt in huge swathes of ABQ thanks to the addicts. Bring back the war on drugs!
Yet we continue to elect the idiots that tolerate that garbage. Democraps finest work in action
After I wrote my comment yesterday, 15 Oct 2004, I went outside of my home and saw billowing smoke somewhere in the International Drugs District. I drove towards the smoke. The fire was coming from a burning vehicle parked next to an apartment dumpster located near the NE corner of Anderson Ave and San Pedro. Every day I hear fire trunk sirens going off to fight another fire in the IDD or I get to see the fire myself. Sad to say the zombie apocalypse is spreading to many other parts of Albuquerque. The zombies are steadily destroying or stealing all sorts of property. On my way to see the fire, I see a zombie pushing a blue recycling bin which he had filled with his personal possessions. The zombies cannot leave anything alone!
ABQRAW is reporting 7 homicides since October 13th. Year to date is 110. Add to that pedestrian deaths and overdoses this city is in a death spiral. A few weeks ago they busted someone on Central with 25,000 fentanyl pills. Liberal policies and sanctuary city status have destroyed this city. God help us.