Fire Ravages Las Cruces Duplex

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A fire caused about $42,000 in damage to a central Las Cruces duplex on Monday, Las Cruces fire officials said. No injuries were reported.

Just after 7 a.m. Monday, firefighters were dispatched to a duplex in the 1600 block Ebony Avenue. The occupants were awakened by the smell of smoke and evacuated after they briefly attempted to extinguish a possible fire in a furnace closet, officials said.

Smoke was coming from the second floor roof. Fire units extinguished the blaze within minutes.

The building had heavy fire, smoke and water damage, and an adjacent structure also sustained damage.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.