A fire erupted Monday in the parking lot of Quirky Books in northeast Albuquerque, reigniting tensions between its bookstore owner, Gillam Kerley, and the City of Albuquerque over safety and homelessness concerns. According to Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the fire affected approximately six encampments. MORE: City of Albuquerque takes legal action against bookstore over homeless encampmentOn Tuesday, Kerley told KOAT he is reevaluating policies and the number of tents to have behind the store’s parking lot. As of Monday, he said there were 12 tents before the fire. However, his stance still remains the same as before, stating, “It is important to help people in need until the City takes responsibility of the issue and address it.” On Tuesday, KOAT reached out to the City of Albuquerque in response to Gillam. City Attorney Lauren Keefe’s full statement is below.BackgroundAlbuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to 71 Bravo for reports of a vehicle fire. However, AFR stated that they came across a “large transient tent fire.” AFR extinguished the flames shortly after. No injuries were reported. According to AFR Lt. Jason Fejer, investigators reviewed the scene as well as footage, but a cause of fire couldn’t be determined. The case is still under investigation. On Nov. 17, 2025, the city of Albuquerque had filed an emergency application for a preliminary injunction to cease operations at what they described as an “illegal and dangerous” encampment at the bookstore, citing a “persistent pattern of criminal activity, public safety hazards and code violations.” City of Albuquerque Statement | Lauren Keefe, Attorney“It is time for this to come to an end. A judge has already ruled that Quirky Books is breaking the law, and the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous.In the past two months alone, there has been a homicide, ongoing drug trafficking, and now a large fire. We will file a supplemental motion tomorrow asking the court to close the encampment immediately.It is simply incorrect to say that the city has not taken action to address homelessness. Since Mayor Keller has taken office, the City had added shelter beds and permanent supportive housing units. There are beds available in the Gateway System right now. There is no justification for continuing to maintain this unlawful and dangerous encampment.” — Lauren Keefe, City AttorneyStay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here
A fire erupted Monday in the parking lot of Quirky Books in northeast Albuquerque, reigniting tensions between its bookstore owner, Gillam Kerley, and the City of Albuquerque over safety and homelessness concerns. According to Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the fire affected approximately six encampments.
MORE: City of Albuquerque takes legal action against bookstore over homeless encampment
On Tuesday, Kerley told KOAT he is reevaluating policies and the number of tents to have behind the store’s parking lot. As of Monday, he said there were 12 tents before the fire. However, his stance still remains the same as before, stating, “It is important to help people in need until the City takes responsibility of the issue and address it.”
On Tuesday, KOAT reached out to the City of Albuquerque in response to Gillam. City Attorney Lauren Keefe’s full statement is below.
Background
Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to 71 Bravo for reports of a vehicle fire. However, AFR stated that they came across a “large transient tent fire.” AFR extinguished the flames shortly after. No injuries were reported. According to AFR Lt. Jason Fejer, investigators reviewed the scene as well as footage, but a cause of fire couldn’t be determined. The case is still under investigation.
On Nov. 17, 2025, the city of Albuquerque had filed an emergency application for a preliminary injunction to cease operations at what they described as an “illegal and dangerous” encampment at the bookstore, citing a “persistent pattern of criminal activity, public safety hazards and code violations.”
City of Albuquerque Statement | Lauren Keefe, Attorney
“It is time for this to come to an end. A judge has already ruled that Quirky Books is breaking the law, and the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous.
In the past two months alone, there has been a homicide, ongoing drug trafficking, and now a large fire. We will file a supplemental motion tomorrow asking the court to close the encampment immediately.
It is simply incorrect to say that the city has not taken action to address homelessness. Since Mayor Keller has taken office, the City had added shelter beds and permanent supportive housing units. There are beds available in the Gateway System right now. There is no justification for continuing to maintain this unlawful and dangerous encampment.” — Lauren Keefe, City Attorney
Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here
