Tar Kettle Likely Cause of Fire that Damaged Home

Las Cruces firefighters extinguished a fire at a home under construction Friday morning.
 
About 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, firefighters were dispatched to a blaze on the exterior of a home under construction on the 4400 block of Purple Sage Drive. Firefighters arrived to find a roofing crew’s tar kettle on fire on the north side of the home.
 
Flames had already spread to the home and thick, dark smoke could be seen billowing from the area.
 
The roofing crew safely evacuated, and firefighters extinguished the fire within minutes of arrival.
 
The construction site is north of the Sonoma Elementary School playground. Out of an abundance of caution, students were sheltered within the school until fire crews had the fire contained and smoke lifted from the area. Students were never in any danger.
 
The exact cause of the fire and damage estimates have yet to be determined.