The Las Cruces Fire Department responded to the 1800 block of West Picacho Avenue for a structure fire.
Las Cruces Firefighters were dispatched just after midnight Friday morning to a fire at the Imperial Sky Motel. The first arriving fire crew witnessed an apartment fully engulfed in fire and heavy black smoke coming from a window and doorway of a motel room. The blaze was contained and smoke cleared out within 20 minutes of the initial call.
U.S. Border Patrol agents traveling to work noticed smoke in the area and made the call in to Central Dispatch. They traced the fired back to an apartment at the Imperial Sky Motel. They were able to assist in evacuating many of the residents. Fire personnel arrived shortly afterwards and completed the evacuation efforts. Early reports had the occupant of the apartment unaccounted for by Imperial Sky Motel management. Fire crews were able to locate the resident of the apartment after he had self-evacuated to a safe location.
The affected apartment suffered heavy fire and smoke damage. An adjacent apartment and a mechanical room were also damaged by smoke and fire. Fire official’s damage estimates are not complete at this time.
Two residents were displaced by this fire and are currently being assisted by the American Red Cross. Las Cruces police officers were on scene for traffic and crowd control.
In addition, American Medical Response, Dona Ana Sheriff’s Officers were also on scene to assist with efforts.
There were no reports of firefighter or civilian injuries.