2 days ago
AFR: Explosion and fires send 2 people to the hospital
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Wednesday night, a home is left in shambles with pieces of it strewn across a northeast Albuquerque neighborhood. Firefighters said fireworks caused a home to explode, leaving two people injured near Eubank Blvd. and Menaul Blvd.
'You can feel the heat from here,' said Jay Kruger in a Tik Tok video as a loud popping sound could be heard.
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The call to Albuquerque Fire and Rescue first came in around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. Black smoke filled the air along Woodland Ave. 'It does appear at this time fireworks were the culprit of this explosion,' said Lt. Jason Fejer, Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
'Oh it's going down,' said Kruger, as the popping noise continued, sounding like fireworks being set off.
AFR said the fire destroyed the home where it started and burned the wall of a neighboring home.
The explosion that caused the fire charred two vehicles in front of the home, which AFR said is a total loss. The neighboring home, suffered heavy damage mostly from smoke but also flames. While two people were taken to the hospital for burns, AFR said all of their fire fighters are okay. 'The size of this would indicate that these are not recreational fireworks sold at the local vendors,' said Lt. Fejer.
Throughout the day neighbors and residents tried to get a glimpse to see if their home is okay. And while most were relieved to find out their homes weren't damaged, it was a different story for Holly Summers. 'I got a call that my neighbor's house was on fire and that my house might be in danger,' said Holly Summers, owner of the neighboring home damaged in the explosion.
Summers said she didn't have time to think about her home, she was worried about her dogs in the backyard. 'So I rushed home to get them inside and then found out my house was burned and the explosion was super loud and it scared them.'
While she was able to find one of her dogs, the other is still missing. 'She's probably just really terrified. She could have run in any direction from Eubank and Menaul area,' said Summer.
Summers is asking everyone to be on the lookout for her white and brindle terrier, Ursy, and if you see her call 311.
AFR said they will be working with APD's bomb squad and possibly federal agencies to confirm the cause of explosion and who may be at fault. 'To have a fire of this magnitude a couple days before the Fourth of July is concerning to say the least,' said Lt. Fejer.
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