Apartment complex not required to have sprinkler system, per ordinance

A Las Cruces woman is asking why sprinklers haven’t been installed inside rooms at the Casa Pueblo Apartment complex in Las Cruces.

Christi Degman lived at the complex in 2008 when her apartment caught fire. She says fire investigators determined a malfunction with an electronic toy in her daughter’s bedroom was the cause.

She was able to salvage some of her belongings, but the rest was a total loss.

Degman says after the incident, the complex was told they should install sprinkler systems.

“In 2008, they were told that they should have installed sprinkler systems to minimize damage and put fires out as soon as possible,” she said.

Degman no longer lives at the complex, but says she was stunned when she heard about a fire at the same complex claiming the life of a 67-year-old man over the weekend.

“It’s just very unfortunate,” Degman said,” Especially, since we know someone has lost their life. At this point, it’s just very disturbing to me.”

Degman is asking why sprinkler systems were never installed.

The Las Cruces Fire Department says the department cannot force a complex to install a sprinkler system, if the building was built before 2009.

Since 2009, all newly built apartments and hotels in Las Cruces are required to install them, according to LCFD Spokesman Dan Trujillo.

A manager at the apartment complex told ABC-7 all older buildings are not required to comply with the new law and referred all questions to the owner.

ABC-7’s Jamie Warren will have this story tonight on ABC-7 at 5 and 6.