ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to a fire at an abandoned structure near 60th Street and Central Avenue on Jan. 21, KRQE reported. Firefighters said the call quickly became a rescue because the building is frequently occupied by squatters.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue said Rescue 7-C, staffed by Paramedic Driver Gregory Varela and Paramedic Lieutenant Katrina Torres, was first to arrive at a boarded-up, single-story, multi-family building with smoke showing. Torres assumed mobile command of a working fire and flagged a high rescue risk due to known squatters in the complex.
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As Engine 7 advanced a hose line for fire control, the Rescue 7 crew began a search. Firefighters located an unconscious person inside and removed the victim, who was turned over to crews outside for treatment and taken to a hospital by Albuquerque Ambulance, the department said.
Rescue 7 then re-entered to complete a primary search. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, and no firefighters were injured.
