San Juan County, NM Firefighters Battle Christmas Night Blaze
Photo by Tom AurnhammerSJCFD Firefighter Operates Hoseline on A/B Corner of the Structure
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFire Showing from the Alpha Side of the Home
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFirefighters Have the Bulk of the Fire Knocked Down
Photo by Tom AurnhammerAnother Shot of the Alpha Side of the Fire Building
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFirefighters Continue Extinguishment
Photo by Tom AurnhammerNavajo Dam's Tanker 1035
Photo by Tom AurnhammerDivision Chief Bair (L) and District Chief Wendell (R) on the Fireground
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFirefighters Continue to Check for Hidden Fire
BLANCO, NM: On Christmas night at 20:23 hours, San Juan County Fire Department (SJCFD) District #5 (Blanco) was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 319 County Road 4955. Districts #10 (Navajo Dam, #9 (Sullivan Road), and the Bloomfield Fire Department were also assigned to the initial alarm. As fire dispatched was receiving additional calls, Deputy Chief Craig Daugherty and Division 2 Chief Duane Bair also went in-service.
District #5 Chief Wayne Wendell arrived on-scene and reported that he had a well involved double-wide modular home and they were going to a defensive attack. As DC Daugherty assumed command, requests were made for the power company and additional manpower from District #6 (Lee Acres). The building's occupants were not home at the time of the fire.
While the bulk of the fire was knocked down early in the incident, the fire was not placed under control until 22;21 hours. One firefighter was injured during the fireground operations. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the SJCFD Fire Marshal's Office.