The Taos Fire Department fought two residential fires within the same hour the morning of July 26. Authorities suspect arson is the cause.
"I do suspect arson, being that both properties were owned by the same individual and the same property management company was responsible for the maintenance and housekeeping on both properties," said Detective Barry Holfelder of the Taos Police Department. "And some other factors." Holfelder didn't elaborate, but added that everything in the homes "seemed to be working fine."
According to Deputy Chief Eddie Joe Abeyta with the Taos Volunteer Fire Department, both homes were listed as vacation rentals on Airbnb and owned by Justin Hilton of Austin, Texas. “He owns seven total properties in Taos County — five in the town of Taos and two at the ski valley,” Abeyta said.
The first blaze was at 522 Camino Cortez St. — southeast of the Taos Youth and Family Center.
While firefighters worked to put that blaze out, officials sent two firetrucks to a second fire at 329 Montoya St., which is near Los Pandos Road — not far from the Palacio de Marquesa at 405 Cordoba Lane. The unit was one of three casitas at the site, said Holfelder. The casita was occupied by a couple, Abeyta said, adding that no people or pets were injured in either fire.
A neighbor who lives adjacent to the Montoya Street fire, J.B. Martinez, said his daughter called emergency crews when they smelled smoke and saw a fire coming from the casita. Martinez said they heard an explosion shortly after they made the call.
Officials were able to extinguish both fires quickly. The extent of damage at both sites wasn't immediately known. Fire investigators are still at work on the case.