ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque Fire Rescue says an intruder may be responsible for a fire started at an apartment complex Tuesday off Carlisle Blvd. between Comanche Rd. and Candelaria Rd. Officials say the fire broke out in a second floor apartment unit at the complex.
According to AFR, initial reports suggested the incident began as a home invasion and the intruder sparked the fire. Officials say three people were inside the apartment. They say two people got out through the front door and one person jumped from a window to escape.
“APD started getting calls about a possible home invasion in the involved apartment here. There was also reports of a fire so APD let us know that there was possible fire involvement. They [APD] arrived first, they had to clear the scene. As our units were arriving we saw the fire progress in intensity and the smoke progressing in volume,” said Lt. Jason Fejer, with Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
According to a criminal complaint, a female had entered the home asking for fentanyl. When the apartment’s occupant refused, the woman got her ex-boyfriend Ricardo Veleta Hernandez, to kick down the door. Hernandez is suspected of lightning the apartment on fire. When Hernandez was confronted by police, they say he denied starting the fire. He was charged with arson and tampering with evidence.
