A large house fire tore through a prefabricated home in Horizon City on Wednesday night, sending a thick column of black smoke over the Desert Mesa neighborhood. Firefighters from multiple departments worked into the evening to knock down the blaze and keep it from jumping to nearby houses. Officials reported no injuries, but investigators said they still did not know whether anyone had been inside when the fire broke out.
Fire Chief: Home Was Fully Involved
“Crews on scene found a fully involved prefabricated home on fire,” Kristian Menendez, fire chief for El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 1, told KFOX14/CBS4. Menendez classified the incident as a condition 2 and said units from Horizon, Socorro, and Clint were all working the fire while county fire marshals staged nearby to start an investigation. He said crews concentrated on protecting neighboring homes as they attacked the main body of the flames.
Mutual Aid Kicks In On Far East Side
The Horizon Fire Department operates under El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 1, which serves Horizon City and nearby subdivisions and staffs multiple stations across the district. Departments in the far east county routinely provide mutual aid on larger incidents, bringing together volunteer and career crews to speed containment. The district’s public pages outline the department’s coverage footprint and its operational role in far east El Paso County.
Online Video Captures Roaring Flames
Video credited to a local account called FitFam circulated online and shows the house completely engulfed as firefighters work to chase down hot spots. KFOX14/CBS4 reported that its crews were heading to the scene and that investigators there had not yet released any information about how the fire started. Fire marshals stayed on scene to begin origin and cause work.
Investigators Probe Cause, Residents Urged To Keep Clear
Fire marshals typically examine electrical systems, heating equipment, and appliance use when working to determine origin and cause, and investigators will look for signs of accidental ignition or other contributing factors. Manufactured and prefabricated homes are covered by federal construction and safety rules that incorporate industry fire safety standards; see HUD’s manufactured-home construction rules and analyses of NFPA findings for context. Officials urged residents to give firefighters and investigators space to operate while the scene remains active.
The scene stayed active into the night as investigators prepared to examine the home and determine a cause. Residents are advised to watch official accounts for updates from local fire and public safety agencies.
