El Paso fire investigators determined that arson ignited a large fire that destroyed and damaged two vacant houses in the Magoffin neighborhood of the South Side, a fire department spokesman said.
There were no reported injuries in the fast-growing blaze, which was battled by about 50 firefighters starting shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, in the 1300 block of Magoffin Avenue, just west of Cotton Street, El Paso Fire Department spokesman Hector Gonzalez said.
“It was a fire that grew and grew and grew,” Gonzalez said, explaining that the incident started as a condition three (meaning smoke and flames showing) that was upgraded to a condition four requiring additional resources.
Fire investigators determined that the fire started in the back patio of a vacant home at 1300 block of Magoffin Avenue, before spreading next door to another vacant house, which was formerly a Maternidad La Luz midwife clinic, Gonzalez said. The first house was a total loss and the second building suffered significant damage.
The fire, which was responded to by 28 firefighter vehicles, was under control after about an hour but not fully extinguished until hours later, Gonzalez said.
There have been no arrests in connection with the arson. An investigation by the El Paso Fire Marshals Office continues.
Anyone with information on this or any other arson case may anonymously call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS).
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Arson caused large El Paso fire that destroyed vacant houses
Reporting by Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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