Two separate pipeline fires were reported in New Mexico on Tuesday, Oct. 6, including an industrial accident in Lea County that left two people dead and a natural gas pipeline rupture near the Colorado border that sent flames as high as 100 feet into the air.
Two Found Dead at Lea County Pipeline Fire
The Lea County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were dispatched at approximately 1:04 p.m. Tuesday to an industrial accident involving a pipeline fire in the oilfields near Highway 176 and Bootleg Road.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered two deceased individuals.
Investigators responded and processed the scene. The Sheriff’s Office said the incident remains under active investigation and is believed to be isolated, with no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
Authorities have not released the identities of the deceased and said no additional information would be provided while the investigation continues.
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Natural Gas Pipeline Ruptures Near Colorado Border
A second pipeline fire was reported Tuesday afternoon near La Boca in northwestern New Mexico, where a ruptured 20-inch natural gas pipeline produced flames reaching an estimated 50 to 100 feet.
The Los Pinos Fire Protection District, based in Colorado, was dispatched at 2:23 p.m. Crews arrived to find flames coming from the ruptured pipeline, with surrounding shrubs and trees burned or burning.
Several other pipelines were located nearby, and downed utility lines crossed the access road, complicating firefighting operations.
Approximately 30 responding units were reported from Los Pinos Fire, Southern Ute Police, Southern Ute Rangers, and San Juan County sheriff and fire departments, along with command staff. The pipeline was shut off at 3:40 p.m.
In its Tuesday update, Los Pinos Fire reported that command staff and wildland firefighting crews remained at the scene awaiting confirmation that electricity to the downed utility lines had been disconnected. Once the electrical hazard was cleared, crews planned to extinguish remaining hotspots and fires.
The fire district did not report any injuries or fatalities in its statement.
Neither agency identified the cause of its respective incident, and no connection between the two fires has been reported.
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