One Killed in Kirtland Fire

(Courtesy: San Juan County Fire Department)

Despite lifesaving measures performed at the scene, the person rescued from the burning home could not be saved.

From San Juan County

Friday, January 29, 2021

At 7:39 am on January 29, 2021, San Juan County Fire Department was dispatched to a house on fire on County Road 6480 in Kirtland. Members of San Juan County Fire District 1 and District 4 responded with additional mutual aid from the Farmington Fire Department. 

Crews arrived to find a single wide mobile home 75% involved in flames. Evacuated occupants told firefighters that there was an additional occupant suspected to be still inside the structure. 

Crews made an initial attack on the fire and were able to knock the fire down to be able to perform a primary search. During the course of the search of the structure, crews located an individual inside. 

Lifesaving measures were attempted, however, the person was not able to be saved.

The fire was put out and crews will be on scene much of the day to mop up. 

Five additional occupants of the home were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. 

The home is a total loss. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the San Juan County Joint Fire and Explosion Investigation Task Force, including members of the San Juan County Fire Department and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.


There is no additional information available at this time. 

More from Local News

  • AirCare adds Second Airplane

    AirCare 3 is a Pilatus PC-12 Legacy. It joins AirCare 1, a Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, and AirCare 2, a Pilatus PC-12 NGX, all owned by San Juan Regional Medical Center and operated by Air Methods.

  • San Juan County Celebrates New Extension Office

    The San Juan County Extension Service Building project is one of 14 projects funded by $13 million recovered in New Mexico’s 2022 settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA contractors, and mining defendants for injuries to natural resources resulting from the August 2015 Gold King Mine blowout.

  • 2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

    These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.

  • Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

    The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.

  • Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

    The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.

  • Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

    Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 21°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 18°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 21°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 55°F | Low: 21°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 30°F