CLOUDCROFT, NM- A town trying to comprehend a Christmas tragedy. Several buildings were destroyed in Cloudcroft yesterday, gutted by an early morning fire. Reporter Matt Rivers has spent the last two days in the small mountain town and has more tonight.
"I got a call at five o'clock in the morning and then another phone started ringing and when you get a call that early in the morning, something's wrong," said Barbara Rice, who's business was destroyed in the fire.
Seven businesses, housed inside two buildings, reduced to rubble. Barbara Rice owned one of the seven with her husband.
A remodel just complete, she was looking forward to a busy holiday season. The fire destroyed that hope.
The early morning flames spared Colby Campbell's business, just two doors down from the wreckage.
"It's an original part of Cloudcroft and now it's gone. and that's sad, very sad," he said of the damage.
Mayor Dave Venable says state fire marshals have no idea yet on what sparked the fire. Both mayor and business owner, Venable owns one of the burned down buildings.
Watching investigators pick through the wreckage was an experience he calls surreal.
But neighbors are determined to keep hold of the holiday spirit, saying the tragedy won't beat them.
They plan to replace the mounds of debris with a Christmas tree, a symbol of hope and a promise to rebuild.
A relief fund has been set up for the victims of the fire, both for the businesses lost and the employees now without jobs.
TO DONATE TO THE RELIEF FUND:
a) Donate at the First National Bank in Cloudcroft
b) Call the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce at 575-682-2531 or the Village of Cloudcroft at 575-682-2411
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