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LAS CRUCES - What appears to Las Cruces police as an accidental fire Saturday has claimed the life of a Las Cruces man.
Ismael L. Lujan Sr., 80, of Las Cruces was found dead Saturday afternoon by a family member after concerns for his welfare were made to his family. Lujan, who lived in a mobile home in the 1500 block of Branding Iron Circle, in central Las Cruces, was found on the kitchen floor of the mobile home. Las Cruces police said Lujan had severe burns to his body.
Lujan was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical investigator several hours after Lujan's relative contacted police, about 2:25 p.m. Saturday.
Las Cruces Police Department spokesman Dan Trujillo said a neighbor heard water running Friday at Lujan's residence and again heard water on Saturday before calling his relatives. When the family member arrived, all of the doors and windows to Lujan's mobile home were locked.
"Nobody could detect anything. He had his doors locked, they had to break a window to get in," said Paul Melon, a neighbor of Lujan's, told KFOX-TV, in El Paso, a Sun-News media partner.
Police believe that Lujan may have been heating water on his stove when some of his clothing caught fire. In an apparent attempt to dowse the fire, Lujan appeared to have turned the water on again but was overcome by the fire
Police said the water was still running and the stove was on when they arrived. Because the residence had been secured it could not be immediately determined if the fire broke out Friday or Saturday.
Trujillo said there did not appear to be suspicious circumstances or signs of foul play.
"It just appears to be a very tragic incident," Trujillo said.
According to KFOX, Lujan's death was hard on his neighbors.
"I was devastated pretty devastated, it's sad it was a tragedy," said Greg Villeagas, a neighbor.
"It's tragic, he was always very careful; he didn't smoke," Melon said.
Lujan's body has been sent to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. But Trujillo said it could be weeks before results of the autopsy might provide investigators with any additional details.
Family members who live in Mesilla declined comment. But Melon said Lujan was a kind and giving person.
"One of those kind of people you appreciate having as a friend, you know when you're having troubles or need to get out of a bind, he was there always offering his help," Melon said. "I feel bad for him, I just pray he's in peace now; terrible way to burn like that."
Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452
