Mom-to-be forced from dangerous rental

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A pregnant Albuquerque woman said she became homeless Wednesday after inspectors decided the home she was renting had become a death trap.

Nadia Beltran told KRQE News 13 she only moved into the run-down home near Broadway and Gibson because it was cheap at less than $400 per month. She said she's single and trying to save money with a baby on the way.

But after a small fire ignited early Wednesday the Albuquerque Safe City Strike Force declared the home unfit for living. Inspectors said a substandard electrical box rigged by the landlord blew out, sparking the fire.

Beltran said she is upset the landlord didn't correctly fix the electrical system after installing a second heater the home needed.

The electrical system had blown out before, she continued, and when it was cold Wednesday morning she called the landlord. When he said there was nothing he could do until mid-morning, she wound up staying at a friend's home.

"I got a little upset because the fact of the matter is that this thing could catch on fire." Beltran said.

Beltran's landlord did contact her during the day on Wednesday but apparently never attempted to fix the problems. By mid-afternoon, city inspectors had red-tagged the home.

"It appears the electrical is not up to par with what's needed for this home," Lt. Shane Turpen told News 13.

For now Beltran will stay at her friend's home, but she has no idea where she'll go next. She only knows she won't be going back to the home.

The Albuquerque Safe City Strike Force will help Beltran find a new place to live.