Fire that destroyed attorney's storage space was purposely set

An investigation into a structure fire on 2nd Street Tuesday night uncovered evidence that the fire was intentionally set, according to an Albuquerque Fire Department news release.

The fire originated on the back wood porch and extended into the second level of the structure located at 1015 2nd St. NW. There was a violent explosion that caused the second floor to collapse.

There are no suspects at this time and the investigation is ongoing, according to the release.

No one was injured in the fire.

Attorney Lisa Torraco, who lost to District Attorney Kari Brandenburg last year, said she converted the old home into a storage space for her campaign memorabilia. She also used it as an overflow space for her law office nearby.

The structure is a total loss.

Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the structure and prevent it from harming Torraco's law office to the north and a Napa Auto Parts business to the south.

Torraco said she suspected the fire was intentionally set and that she recently had problems with some transients.

She said she initially felt compassion for the transients and allowed them to stay on the structure's back porch. She said later told them to leave after she found needles, razors and broken bottles they left behind.

Torraco put up no trespassing signs that were either covered up with cardboard or torn up. She said the transients confronted some people from her law office on Tuesday.