A family of four has to relocate after a fire engulfed the house they rented over the weekend in South Gallup.
Gallup Fire Department firefighters were dispatched to the 1200 block of South Puerco, east of New Mexico State Road 610, just after 6 pm May 2 in reference to a brush fire.
Crews from the Gallup Fire Department arrived within five minutes, discovering a fire along a backyard fence and trees, ultimately spreading to a two-story home on the property.
“There were very high winds coming from the west that made this fire almost impossible to put out,” said Fire Chief Jesus Morales, who was on the scene. “It was basically an inferno that was just consuming the structure.”
The fire department was on scene for over three hours.
“With the winds and the dry vegetation, a small brush fire can easily get out-of-control really quick. I do recommend and urge our community to be proactive and clear the area around their homes, around their residences, clear it from brush and vegetation. It gives them a defensive [buffer], gives them some space,” Morales said.
In total, 23 firefighters helped put out the fire. No civilians sustained injuries from the fire, however, the fire department said one fireman had a “minor injury.” The investigation is ongoing. The monetary loss is estimated at $200,000.
How to help
A GoFundMe fundraiser was started May 2 by Garrett and Amelia Lashley for their friends Levi and Tayler May and their family.
“To be clear for those curious, the residence lost due to the fire was a rental,” Amelia Lashley said on the GoFundMe page. “This page was set up to solely help replenish personal belongings, facilitate moving to a new home, hotel rooms and any other expense that arises.”
Levi May and Garrett Lashley served in the military together and the couples are close friends who consider the Gallup area home.
“Being best friends and our husbands serving in the Army together, this was our best means to help from across the country,” Amelia Lashley said.
The initial goal for the fundraiser was set at $35,000.
As of May 4, over $28,000 had been raised for the Mays with approximately 300 donors stepping up to help the cause. The average donation was around $98.
“Thank you to everyone who donated with no questions asked. This family is so humbled and has shed many tears of gratitude,” Amelia Lashley said.
If you would like to help the Mays, you can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/k64e7j-house-fire-recovery.
By Dominic Aragon
Sun Correspondent
