Up in flames
Fire at adult bookstore closes two businesses

Virgie's Restaurant owner Charlie Chavez takes a peek at the damage Tuesday morning after a fire in the bookstore next door on Historic Rt. 66 to his restaurant caused extensive smoke damage to his establishment and forced him to close his restaurant until the damage can be cleaned up. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

A Gallup firefighter examines some of the damage Tuesday, inside a West Gallup adult booksstore after a early morning fire damaged the building and caused heavy smoke damage to Virgie's Mexican Restaurant which is next door. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

GALLUP — A local adult bookstore sustained heavy damage when it caught fire early Tuesday morning.

Gallup firefighters were called to 2720 W. Hwy. 66 at about 12:40 a.m. in response to reports of flames in the area, according to Raymond Ross, commander of fire operations for the Gallup Fire Department.

The fire was reported by a passer-by, he said. When firefighters arrived at the location, the store's roof was engulfed in flames. However, firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and prevent the flames from spreading to the nearby restaurant, Virgies. A separation wall reportedly helped keep the flames from reaching the restaurant, Ross said.

"We also think of the employees who depend on these businesses for employment," he said. The adult bookstore's roof sustained heavy fire and heat damage and the remaining rooms were damaged by smoke and water. No injuries were reported.

Initial emergency responders stayed at the scene until about 7 a.m. At that time, investigators began their inquiry into what caused the early morning blaze. As of press time, Ross said a cause has yet to be determined.

"We're not ruling anything out at this point," Ross said.

McKinley County volunteer firefighters also helped extinguish the blaze as part of the city and county's mutual aid agreement.