John Jefferson
Nearly half a dozen people were injured after a reported vehicle explosion ignited a large inferno Tuesday afternoon near El Paso International Airport.
Just before 4 p.m., El Paso Fire Department posted on X confirming crews were responding to a condition 4 fire at the Sun Metro Transit Operations Center.
More than 100 firefighters and more than 40 fire units responded, according to El Paso strategic communications director Laura Cruz Acosta.
The fire was later upgraded to a second alarm, which means the fire escalated and more firefighters were needed to battle the blaze.
Five people were injured, and they were all taken to area hospitals, according to Acosta. No fatalities were reported as of 5:45 p.m.
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KFOX14 reported a vehicle exploded, possibly inside the Sun Metro center, igniting the fire.
El Paso Police Department confirmed it is assisting and asked locals to avoid the area.
The roof and walls of the building collapsed in the fire, FOX 4 reported.
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Acosta released a statement noting details about the fire and its cause are “limited.”
“Our primary focus is on containing the fire and the safety of our staff,” according to the statement. “We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our first responders for their swift action in addressing the situation.”
El Paso International Airport operations are unaffected, according to Acosta.
Traffic is closed until further notice at Montana Avenue and Wedgewood Drive, according to police and the Texas Department of Transportation.
A category 4 fire carries a “very high” level of danger, according to the US Forestry Service. They can spread rapidly and become long-lasting.
FOX 4’s Adam Fullerton contributed to this report.
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