Afternoon Apartment Fire In Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES — Firefighters with the Las Cruces Fire Department battled an apartment fire Thursday afternoon along the 900 block of North Tornillo.

At about 3 p.m. firefighters arrived at the scene and reported seeing smoke and fire coming from the front windows of the residence. No one was home at the time, but three small pups inside died from smoke inhalation.

Fire investigator James Von Schriltz said the fire was caused by an electric hot plate that had been left on and unattended in the home. Investigators suspect the hot plate fell from from where it was onto a carpeted floor igniting it.

Damage to the apartment and property is estimated at about $20,000.