Lack of fire hydrants a
factor in blaze

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Rio Rancho firefighters had a difficult time saving a home engulfed in flames on Monday night because there were no fire hydrants on the street.

That could be one of the reasons why the home is in such bad shape.

The three adults and three children inside the home escaped safely, but the home was not as fortunate.

Investigators believe the blaze started in the garage. When crews arrived on scene at 11:00 p.m., flames were shooting out of the garage area.

Fire officials said that when they started to get the blaze under control, they needed more water because of the lack of fire hydrants.

The Rio Rancho Fire Department shuttled in tanker trucks from Corrales to get water to the area.

While crews were scrounging together water, the fire built itself up and spread to other parts of the home, according to the battalion chief of the fire department.

"The fire was able to get a little bit of a hold on the house because of a lack of water, it was a factor," Battalion Chief of the Rio Rancho Fire Department Paul Bearce said. "We just don't know if it was the only factor."

The cause of the fire is still unknown

Bearce told News 13 Monday evening that the department planned to call the Red Cross to give the family a place to stay.

Fire officials said the garage was destroyed, and many parts of the house are badly damaged because of intense heat, smoke and water damage.