Serving the High Plains

Fire guts Tucumcari home

Area firefighters battled a blaze Friday morning that gutted a Tucumcari home but left no injuries.

Tucumcari’s fire chief also announced the previous day another house fire that occurred last month has been deemed as suspicious, and he requested information from residents for the investigation.

According to records by the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center, the fire Friday at 2311 S. Second St. was reported at 6:06 a.m.

Tucumcari and Logan firefighters remained at the scene at first light after the fire had been brought under control. The blaze had gutted the home’s interior and burned through part of the roof.

According to the Quay County Assessor’s Office, Emmett Breen of rural Tucumcari owns the property.

The home was unoccupied at the time, though a Breen family member periodically used the home when she had business in town.

Tucumcari Fire Chief Doug Hogan stated in an email: “The cause was electrical in nature and not considered suspicious. Although the center portion of the house sustained major loss, we were able to salvage numerous family heirlooms throughout the home.”

On Thursday, Hogan stated in a news release a Dec. 10 fire that destroyed an unoccupied rental home at 501 S. Fourth St. “is considered suspicious in nature.”

Rural District 1 firefighters assisted Tucumcari in controlling the blaze. It was reported at 5:23 a.m. Dec. 10, according to Hogan’s release.

Hogan asked anyone who had information about the fire to call 575-461-4400.

According to the assessor’s office, the property is owned by Stephen Salas of Tucumcari.