Sunland Park firefighter hurt battling blaze that destroyed La Union home

LA UNION, New Mexico -- Fire destroyed an Adobe home in La Union on Tuesday, despite efforts from roughly two-dozen firefighters to put out the blaze.

A firefighter from Sunland Park was injured battling that blaze in the 200 block of Fig Tree Lane; fire officials said he was believed to have suffered from exhaustion and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The blaze broke out just before 11 a.m. and Sunland Park firefighters said the home was "fully involved" in flames when arrived. The house had also partially collapsed, which crews said made efforts to contain the fire difficult.

Volunteer firefighters throughout Dona Ana County as well as some fire crews from El Paso County also responded to the fire scene. In all, officials estimated up to 25 firefighters battled it.

Doña Ana County Fire Chief Nick Hempel said the homeowner indicated that her grill may have ignited the fire, although the official cause is undetermined for now and remains under investigation.

The home is believed to be "a total loss," Hempel said.