GRANTS, N.M. – A fire initially reported as a house fire in Grants on Friday, June 5, damaged a shed, a nearby home and one vehicle, but no injuries were reported, according to information provided by the Grants Police Department.
The fire was reported in a residential area near Acoma and Johnson streets, behind the historic Charlie’s Radiator building off Route 66/Santa Fe Avenue. Grants Fire and Rescue resources responded to the scene, and first responders redirected traffic around nearby residential streets while crews worked the fire. Route 66/Santa Fe Avenue remained open.
According to GPD, responding units arrived to find that the fire was not initially a fully involved house fire, but a shed that was fully engulfed. The fire then spread to a nearby home.
“The fire was initially reported as a house fire, but when responding units arrived on scene it was determined to be a shed that was fully engulfed,” Grants Police Lieutenant Lyle Sarracino said. “The fire spread to a nearby home, but there was no reported injuries from the fire and it was reported that a home, the shed, and one vehicle were damaged.”
Police said the fire was determined to have been accidental.
“At this time, it was determined that the fire was accidentally caused by a vehicle malfunction and there is no active criminal investigation,” Sarracino said.
Photos from the scene showed heavy black smoke rising from the property as flames burned through the shed area, with emergency crews nearby.
The incident comes during a stretch of heightened fire concern across Cibola County and western New Mexico, where dry vegetation, hot weather and wind can quickly turn small ignition sources into larger threats. Local fire officials have continued urging residents to keep properties clear of dry brush, avoid outdoor burning and report smoke or fire immediately.
No further information was available as of press time.