Fire ruled arson, home will be destroyed

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Surveillance video shows the beginnings of a fire Sunday night at a home where an elderly woman was found dead f ollowing another fire less than a month ago.

Investigators say the flames were set on purpose and city officials promise to tear the house down.

Sunday's video shows a sudden explosion at the already charred home, then flames dancing through the roof.

Firefighters were called to the home on Lexington near Juan Tabo and Candelaria around 6:30 p.m.  The fire started up a second time around 1 a.m. Monday.

It's the same home crews were called to less than a month ago. Then they found Juanita Adams', 84, badly burned inside. It's still unclear how she died or what started that fire.

Neighbors say this time was different.

"Immediately my reaction was somebody set it on fire," said neighbor Jim Bride.

Jim Bride and Bob Trudo live on opposite sides of the Adams' home. Both say it's been riddled with crime for years, and is now endangering their homes.

"I've had my hose in standby mode now for quite awhile," said Trudo.

Albuquerque's Safe City Strike Force said after last month's fire, the home would be demolished. Now the city is fast tracking the demolition.

"There really isn't anything left to rebuild...the place has been so badly damaged," added Trudo. "It's in immanent danger of collapse right now."

A memorial for Juanita Adams sits in what used to be her front yard and both neighbors say the sooner the home is gone, the better.

"It will take away that ill feeling that lingers like a bad smell," said Bride.

Members of the Safe City Strike Force say they are waiting for the city to turn off the gas to the home before they start bulldozing. Destruction could start as soon as Tuesday.

Adams lived in the home with her 53-year-old son.

Before the fires the home was red tagged in 2010 because it was full of junk and unsafe.

The state ordered Adams be placed in an adult home, but she and her son moved back in last August once everything was cleaned up.