House fires in Arizona border town force precautionary evacuation of Mexican Consulate

Mexican Consulate in Ariz. border town evacuated

NOGALES, Ariz. — The Mexican Consulate building in the Arizona border town of Nogales was evacuated as a precaution as crews battled fires at five nearby homes.

Thirty firefighters from several departments — including the department across the border in Nogales, Mexico — assisted the Nogales City Fire Department on Tuesday.

The cause of the first fire wasn’t immediately known, but authorities say strong afternoon winds blew embers to other nearby homes and set those houses ablaze.

There were no reported injuries and residents of the five burned homes were being assisted Tuesday night by the Red Cross.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — The Mexican Consulate building in the Arizona border town of Nogales was evacuated as a precaution Tuesday as crews battled fires at several homes.

Firefighters from several departments were assisting the Nogales City Fire Department.

Authorities say as many as five homes were burning near the consulate building.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Authorities say no injuries have been reported.