Jan. 3—A man is accused of setting a fire that partially consumed an abandoned home on Thursday in Northwest Albuquerque.
Adam Tachias, 43, is charged with arson causing over $20,000 in damage and criminal damage to property over $1,000. Tachias was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Friday.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Fejer said firefighters responded around 8:30 p.m. to a fire in the 800 block of 58th NW, just northeast of Fortuna and Coors. He said crews found an abandoned home with “heavy smoke and flames” coming off the roof.
Fejer said firefighters searched the house for anyone inside and had the fire under control within a half hour of arriving. He said the blaze caused severe damage to the roof and back of the home, but no civilians or firefighters were injured.
Fire investigators were leaving the scene of the blaze when they spotted Tachias walking a few blocks away, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Tachias told investigators he started a fire at the home and it “quickly grew out of control.”
The complaint states Tachias declined to speak further with AFR arson investigators.