Fire behind Alamo Gallery contained by neighboring business owner

A fire broke out late Tuesday night, Oct. 28, behind Alamo Gallery and Gifts in Socorro, damaging the rear exterior of the building before being extinguished by a neighboring business owner.

Mauro Portillo, owner of La Pasadita Café, said he was alerted by a staff member who noticed flames while cleaning in the back of the restaurant.

“I ran outside and seen it was the neighbor’s building,” Portillo said. “I got the water hose and put the fire out. I was worried about the gas tanks next door.”

Portillo added that one of his employees saw a man with a backpack heading toward the back of the building minutes before the fire started. While Portillo has surveillance cameras, he said he has not yet reviewed the footage.

Leon Miler, seller at Alamo Gallery and Gifts, said the fire did not affect the store’s contents and operations remain unchanged.

“We aren’t the property owners, so we have no idea on repairs,” Miler said. “In the short term, it won’t affect our business. Long-term is a big question.”

The incident has sparked renewed discussion about homelessness in Socorro, especially as temperatures drop. The night of the fire, temperatures were at a low of 40 degrees.

Puerto Seguro Safe Harbor, the city’s only emergency shelter, has been working to expand its overnight warming services. Board President Shay Kelley, said the shelter typically opens when temperatures are forecasted to drop to 32°F, but recent fluctuations have made planning difficult.

“We’ve been open on average 20 to 25 nights every winter,” Kelley said. “This year, with a grant from the city, we’ll be able to open 40 nights.”

Despite the grant, the shelter remains the only overnight option in Socorro County and staffing challenges persist.

“We’re hiring for paid overnight positions for the first time,” Kelley said. “We need a team of four to make it work seamlessly.”

Kelley said that as winter approaches, addressing homelessness can work to prevent future incidents like the fire behind Alamo Gallery.