U-Haul offers free storage for fire victims

U-Haul Co. of New Mexico is offering victims of the wildfire in the Manzano Mountains free storage for up to 30 days.

There are four U-Haul locations around Albuquerque and Rio Rancho and the company is encouraging families who need more information about the self-storage assistance to contact one of these facilities.

"This fire has already caused tremendous damage and inflicted extreme hardship on the communities we serve," said Thomas Neill, president of U-Haul Co. of New Mexico. "I hope this effort will provide assistance to families that truly need a helping hand."

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Gov. Bill Richardson declared Torrance County a disaster area last week because of the Trigo Fire, directing the Department of Finance and Administration to make $750,000 available to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for supporting fire fighting efforts and providing emergency public services. He also directed the Department of Homeland Security to seek additional assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The 14,000-acre Trigo Fire flared up last week in high wind conditions after being partially contained. It has destroyed some 59 homes.

U-Haul is part of AMERCO (NASDAQ: UHAL), based in Reno, Nev.

The U-Haul locations in the Albuquerque metropolitan area offering free storage are:

• 6401 Central Ave. NE, 255-8723
• 1901 Eubank NE, 293-1955
• 4020 San Mateo NE, 883-3833
• 1401 Rio Rancho Blvd. in Rio Rancho, 892-1344