ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The busy intersection of Menaul and University is finally reopen after a massive fire Monday. 

The fire happened at a building used for storage by a nonprofit, it’s not too far from the Querque Hotel. 

The scene was so massive, dozens of people nearby came out to see what was going on. KOB 4 was able to speak to the owner of the building next door, who came rushing over because he didn’t know if his own business was on fire.

“I was worried because people were calling me, ‘Is it your building? Is it you?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, I hope not,’ but it wasn’t. So I’m grateful for that,” said Alexander D’Von Boggs, owner of 88 Keys Piano Warehouse. 

88 Keys Piano Warehouse is the building right next to the warehouse that caught fire Monday afternoon.

It took 24 Albuquerque Fire Rescue units to put out the massive fire, which initially came in as a gas leak call.

“There’s a sprinkler box over here that that’s what they thought was the original source of the gas leak, and it’s just water lines. So that doesn’t appear to be the case,” said AFR’s Public Information Officer, Lt. Jason Fejer. 

Fejer says they’re still investigating the cause and because the entire roof collapsed, it might be a while before crews get access inside.

“There’s some collapse potential, so it’s hard for us to get inside,” said Fejer. “And they might actually just determine if this building’s too unstable for us to go inside. So we’re probably just gonna keep putting water on it. Again. That’ll involve a fire watch.”

Fejer says the department is seeing an uptick in not just building fires, but home fires too, which is typical as we get into the colder months.

“It is Fire Prevention Month, so it’s time to make sure that everyone has a plan. Some of these businesses, if you are in an area that has seen an uptick in outside fires, make sure you have some sort of defensible space,” Fejer said.

For D’Von Boggs, he’s just glad no one was hurt, and he still has a business.

“Huge sigh of relief. Of course, I sent all my crew home because it’s a little too smoky right now, being right next door to my building. But no one is hurt, everybody’s fine, that’s what matters,” said D’von Boggs. 

The building is considered a total loss. Fire investigators can’t really look into what happened until it’s safe enough for them to get inside.