Fire Destroys Businesses In Cloudcroft; Community Rallying To Help

The heart of Cloudcroft is now rubble and ashes after a fire ripped through several businesses.

And the close-knit community is coming together – hoping to rebuild soon.

Firefighters worked more than nine hours to get the fire under control and battle hot spots in the rubble. The fire started early Monday morning.

Tourists and locals looked on in disbelief. Six businesses housed in two buildings are completely charred. Small mountains of black rubble sit where bustling businesses once were. A hair shop and a cafe now reduced to ashes. Villagers said it was only a brick wall that kept the flames from spreading to a beer and wine shop.

Cloudcroft residents are grateful no one was inside at the time and they say they’re resilient.

“We all take care of each other and this community comes together in a heartbeat,” EMT Charliss Randall said. “All it takes is one phone call and you’ve seen what it can do.”

The fire was as high as 35 feet in the air when firefighters first arrived at the scene.

Firefighter Robert Adams said, “Friends of ours lost a business, but I guarantee you everyone’s thankful no one was hurt. All of our friends are going home, all of the fire departments are going home, everyone’s safe.”

Even though several businesses were affected there are several others open for your business. Villagers said what they need right now is for tourists to keep visiting Cloudcroft.

Those who responded to the blaze also have fond memories of the shops – a testament to the closeness of the community.

“When we had off campus lunch at the high school we used to go there like every day and get icecream, that was our thing.” said Stacie Batte, an emergency responder.

The shops aren’t the only things lost to the flames. These buildings also played an important role in the history of the town.

“They are historical buildings. So we lost not only the physical buildings but also the history of our town as well.” Lisa King, Director of Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce

For the owners of the businesses destroyed, it’s been a morning filled with an overwhelming emotion, but also overwhelming support from the village their businesses called home.

“It will take some time to regroup, but this is a very close knit community an there is a lot of love and support that’s already being extended through a relief fund that’s been set up at First National Bank up here in Cloudcroft.” Brenda Oconnor, Owner of Shop Destroyed

Those who want to help can donate to the Burrow Street Fire Relief Fund. The business owner ABC-7 spoke with said they have insurance, but they won’t get the Christmas season back.

See footage of the scene here.