Officials with the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office collect evidence Dec. 12 at the scene of an overnight deadly fire in Rio Rancho. Two people perished in the blaze on Hildalgo, near Northern Boulevard. Adolphe Pierre-Louis, Albuquerque Journal

Two people were found dead after a structure fire in the Rio Rancho area, authorities said Dec. 12.
Several fire crews from Sandoval County were called out around 2:30 a.m.; Rio Rancho police and Sandoval County Sheriff’s deputies also went to the scene.
Authorities said one person was found dead as firefighters tried to stop the flames from spreading; a second person was found dead at the scene shortly afterward. The names, ages and genders of the two dead people weren’t immediately known.
Lt. John Castañeda, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said the home was almost destroyed. He said it was in an isolated area near Northern Boulevard and Hidalgo Road, and no other structures were damaged.
Authorities said the cause of the fire was under investigation and it’s not yet known how the two people died.
The New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office are in charge of the fire investigation.