AFR Responds to Morning Structure Fire and Called to Midday High Angle Mountain Rescue
Posted By: ABQ RAW Staff
Posted On: 10/03/2023 @ 9:50 PM
Albuquerque -
**Early Morning Blaze Erupts at Villas at Uptown, AFR Engine 13 Rushes to the Scene**
At approximately 7:35 AM on October 3rd, 2023, Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) responded to a possible structure fire at the Villas at Uptown, located at 6220 Indian School Rd. NE. First on the scene was AFR's Engine 13, where they discovered smoke and flames on the second floor of the three-story multifamily residence.
AFR was able to contain and extinguish the fire within just 30 minutes of their arrival. The majority of the damage was limited to the apartment where the fire originated, with minor water damage in the apartment below and moderate smoke damage to neighboring units.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the firefighters, and one civilian, who was evaluated on the scene, declined transportation to the hospital. To ensure the safety and well-being of the residents, occupants from nine apartments were temporarily relocated to other vacant units within the complex.
AFR's Fire Investigators are diligently working to determine the origin and cause of the fire, but as of now, no conclusive information is available.
**Albuquerque Fire Rescue Saves Injured Hiker in Sandia Foothills**
On October 3, 2023, at around 2:00 PM, Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) responded to a distress call in the Sandia foothills. A hiker had suffered a lower extremity injury, rendering them immobile. Seven rescue apparatus were dispatched to GPS coordinates near the Copper and Supper Rock NE trailhead. Battalion 2 assumed command, dispatching paramedics and firefighters equipped with medical gear and high-angle rescue tools to hike to the 911 caller's reported location.
Approximately a mile from the trailhead, they found the injured hiker with a severe leg injury necessitating paramedic-level care. The rescuers skillfully packaged the hiker in a litter and transported them to the trailhead. From there, an ambulance rushed the hiker to a local hospital. The quick response and expertise of AFR ensured the hiker received the necessary medical attention in a timely manner.