Sunland Park family sues city over water hydrant failures after devastating house fire
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A Sunland Park family who lost their home in a house fire back in April, is suing the City and the water utility company blaming the water hydrant issues for the devastating fire.
Attorney Gabriel S. Perez is representing Luis Mendoza in a lawsuit that was filed against the City of Sunland Park and the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority following a fire that destroyed his home back in April 24.
Perez said, "Mr. Mendoza and his wife came to me... right after the fire occurred."
The fire department's had trouble batting the fire because as the Sunland Park Fire Incident Commander confirmed, the nearby fire hydrants were inadequate.
"The firefighters said, 'I'm sorry these hydrants are not operational,'" Perez explained.
Besides seeking compensation for Mendoza, Perez said he hopes the lawsuit will highlight these water infrastructure issues in Sunland Park.
"Sunland Park is growing... and I think it's placing a burden on these services," Perez noted. "Hopefully with this lawsuit... it'll shed some light on the issues of this growth."
Regarding the question of how much Mendoza is asking for, the lawsuit states the plaintiff is seeking compensation for the damages (amount to be proven at trial), punitive damages (as allowed by the law), as well as attorney fees among other things.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, KFOX14/CBS4 contacted both the City of Sunland Park and CRRUA for comment.
The City of Sunland Park declined to comment, while CRRUA did not respond in time for the publication of this story.
Back in April, the day after the fire, KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with Chief Daniel Medrano, from the Sunland Park Fire Department, who wanted to clarify that its not that the fire hydrants don't work, its that they don't produce enough water pressure.
"Our last test in that neighborhood, we were getting about 450, maybe 600 gallons per minute coming out of a hydrant," Medrano said. "But when you try to operate a fire truck with a fire hose on a burning building, it becomes very little, very quickly."
Medrano noted that the water system in the area is outdated and in need of an upgrade, something that he believes will cost a lot of money.
"It's a very old neighborhood and the water utility, and not to their fault, but they haven't upgraded that area of town," Medrano said. "One of our big hurdles we have to overcome is funding... It is millions and millions and millions of dollars."
CRRUA at the time admitted that work needed to be done to improve the infrastructure, adding that it was committed to finding funding for the much-needed upgrades.
"CRRUA remains fully committed to securing funds and making the long-term investments needed to strengthen the entire utility system," said CRRUA Executive Director Juan Crosby.
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