New Mexico authorities said that human remains of a couple that had requested help amid the McBride Fire on Tuesday were found in their burned-out home.
The wildfire had erupted Tuesday in Ruidoso and grew within hours to cover 5,391 acres by Wednesday evening.
Local authorities said that a couple had unsuccessfully tried to flee their home on Gavilan Canyon Road after it caught fire.
Village police contacted firefighters to respond and after many attempts, the rescuers couldn’t locate the victims and declared them unaccounted for.
The remains were discovered the following day, police said. The coroner’s office is working to identify the decedents.
At least 150 homes and properties were completely destroyed in the fire; firefighters were still battling flames Wednesday.
