Firefighters struggle to save home

Corrales firefighters battled a very stubborn house fire nearly all day Tuesday.

Smoke and flames were visible for miles from the home on West Ella.

The Corrales Fire Chief said it was very difficult to fight because the blaze spread to the attic and there were concerns for the safety of the firefighters due to stability of the home.

“The biggest issue was just getting access to the fire itself in the roof, and it's unknown if there are multiple roofs,” Chief Anthony Martinez said. “I know firefighters had difficulties trying to isolate the fire.”

Martinez said an elderly couple lives at the home but they were not home at the time.

23 firefighters, many of them volunteers, battled the smoke and flames since it started after 11:30 a.m.

The chief said there was a lot of damage inside, as the ceilings gave way and so did most of the floor.

The Sandoval County Fire Marshal came to the home to help investigate where the fire started and how.

The fire department spoke with the homeowners to try and figure out what may have caused the fire.

Martinez said the family is well-known in the community.

Neighbors came outside to find out what was happening because they could see the smoke and flames from their homes.

“My heart goes out to the owners and definitely my prayers because it is tough,” neighbor Dorinda Sickenger said.

There were reports of a missing dog and the chief said they were looking for it with the help of animal control.

Martinez said no one was hurt and does not believe the fire is suspicious.