Taos is filled with abandoned buildings, which become both public blights and unofficial, illegal shelters for the county s sizable homeless population. The continued occupation of these structures …
The Taos Volunteer Fire Dept. responded to a call about a fire at the Sun God Lodge, 919 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Friday night (Dec. 18). When firefighters arrived, it appeared that a fire had started in a room that was thought to have been broken into, according to Taosâ town manager Rick Bellis. Arson is the suspected cause.
Upon further inspection by town Fire Marshal Erik Oiesen-Vreeke on Saturday (Dec. 19), many rooms were found unlocked, and there was little-to-no onsite security or supervision, Bellis said. It also appeared that the sprinkler system had been shut off due to late payments.
It became clear that people had been squatting in several of the rooms illegally, and âposing a public health and safety risk to the facility, surrounding properties, and the community,â said Bellis.