Kids Kingdom destroyed in fire

ALAMOGORDO — A fire destroyed Kids Kingdom, a playground located between Washington Avenue and Indian Wells Road, early Friday morning.

Fire Investigators with the Alamogordo Police Department, the Alamogordo Fire Department and New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office are currently working to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

At approximately 8:51 a.m., the Alamogordo Fire Department received calls that the playground was burning. When fire crews arrived on scene they said the playground equipment was fully involved. Crews contained the fire around 9:20 a.m. No injuries were reported.

City spokeswoman Laurie Dean said once investigations are completed they will release more information.

“We don’t know what caused the fire yet, we’re conducting an investigation,” Dean said. “Once we have more information we can release that.”

Alamogordo Fire Chief Mikel Ward said they have no suspects at this time because it is too early to speculate if it was an act of arson.

“It’s way too early for us to start speculating how it started,” Ward said. “Fire investigators from the Alamogordo Fire Department and the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office will be working with the Alamogordo Police Department to see if we can get that information.”

Deputy Chief of Police Roger Schoolcraft said one of their detectives was one of the first people to witness the fire and called other law enforcement officials.

“We received a bunch of calls from the public," Schoolcraft said. "One of our detectives was one of the first people to see the smoke and fire. We were receiving numerous calls at the same time."

Schoolcraft said if anyone has any information or tips to who or what might have caused the fire to please call Alamogordo Police Department’s Detective Sgt. Mark Esquero at 430-3211.

“Anyone that thinks they may have some information that may have saw some people in the park prior to the fire please get a hold of Detective Sgt. Mark Esquero at APD so we can follow up on those leads,” he said.

The City of Alamogordo has temporarily closed Oregon Avenue from Indian Wells Road to 18th Street. The Alamogordo Fire Department is requesting that citizens stay out of the area and motorists are also advised to seek alternative routes during this road closure period.

Kids' Kingdom was constructed by thousands of volunteers from all over Otero County in November 1995 out of a labor of love for children. The value of the park was totaled at $750,000 when it was handed over to the City.

“It’s a sad event, I’ve taken several of my grandchildren there over the years and watched them play and enjoy it. It’s sad that we lost this recreational facility for our kids,” said Mayor Richard Boss. “I remember when Kids' Kingdom was built in the mid-90s and it was a community effort. There was a lot of people involved and a lot of businesses that contributed substantial dollars to it and manual labor. It’s a great loss to our community and our kids.”

City Commissioner Susan Payne also said she was devastated by the news.

“It’s disappointing,” Payne said. “I was just telling someone this morning my oldest daughter, who is 31, and my son, who is 23, both had tiles over at Kids' Kingdom. I’m sure those tiles are destroyed because they were close to the structure.”

Payne said she and her family moved to Alamogordo 11 months before the construction of Kids' Kingdom.

“I remember when it was built, it was a great community effort,” she said. “One thing about Alamogordo is that we’re a community that comes together during things like this. Speaking for myself, I’m sure we’re going to see something great in that place again.”

Payne went onto say while Kids' Kingdom was iconic of Alamogordo, it was a structure and it can be rebuilt.

“It’s something that can be replaced and I’m sure many people, myself included, have many pictures and memories from Kids' Kingdom,” she said. “Those are things we hold onto. It’s sad but it’s not irreplaceable.”

City crews will begin working to secure the location and a public safety officer will be onsite 24 hours to assure the security of the area. The road closure at Oregon will remain in effect until the Fire Department deems it safe to open.

In a press release from the City of Alamogordo, they stated that they recognize the major loss of such an important community recreation area and share in the sadness of the loss.

The City of Alamogordo also stated that the structure is insured and the city will be reimbursed for the cost of the damaged property, which amount is yet to be determined.

"We are not collecting donations or asking for volunteers at this time," Dean said. "City Crews will be working over the weekend to clear the debris from the park. Until such time as the area is cleared and deemed safe, we want to ask the public to please stay behind the orange fencing barrier surrounding the park."

Dean said once debris is cleared, the city will be able to get a plan in place to release the memorabilia in the park that is salvageable and will let citizens know where they can pick up these materials.

For any community members that have memorials, handprints and other items of sentimental value that they would like information on please email coapio@ci.alamogordo.nm.us.