Tag Archives: Colorado

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Frisco, CO – Condo fire quickly put out with help of fire sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Six residents have been displaced following a structure fire at a condo complex in Frisco on Friday morning, according to Summit Fire & EMS.

Summit Fire chief Jeff Berino said that a structure fire broke out on the 500 block of Galena Street in Frisco at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday. About 24 firefighters from both Summit Fire and the Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District responded to the incident. The blaze was put out quickly by the firefighters, with help from the building’s sprinkler system, and crews cleared the scene by 12:45 p.m.

Berino said that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, though it has been determined that there was no criminal involvement. One unit suffered moderate smoke and fire damage, and two other units suffered smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Colorado Springs, CO – Sprinkler system activated for fire caused by a cigarette

A smoker nearly destroyed the Foxworth-Galbraith building in Colorado Springs, according to fire investigators.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department is reporting the sprinkler system played a major role in saving the building in the 4000 block of Interpark Dr. near Austin Bluffs Parkway and I-25. The sprinkler system set off an automatic alarm that called firefighters to the scene on April 13 at about 3:30 in the morning.

When crews arrived in the area they noticed smoke coming from the roof-line of the building. Firefighters were able to gain access to the property but had issues with finding a working hydrant.

“The CSFD identifies the sprinkler system activation as a success story for this structure,” Public Information Officer with the fire department Capt. Brian Vaughan wrote. “Without proper activation, this building may have ended in a total loss to the structure or worse considering life safety due to the occupancy and fuel loading. Colorado Springs Utilities is investigating the City hydrant failure currently and CSFD Fire Inspectors have inspected the site previously for loading too close to hydrants and are in the process of re-inspection for compliance moving forward.”

There were no injuries reported after 48 firefighters were called to the scene. The cause was due to “careless disposal of cigarettes” according to the fire department.

The fire department provided the following tips for smoking safety:

1-Always provide enough sturdy, fire and weatherproof, non-tipping, outdoor ashtrays for employees and house guests

2-Make sure your outdoor smoking area does not slope towards any structure

3- Do not toss cigarettes out of any vehicle that you are driving or while you are walking at any time or anywhere. It is a fire hazard, and it is also littering

4-Never toss a cigarette into landscaping, yards, drains, on decks, or driveways and roadways

5-If you smoke cigarettes responsibly and always discard them in the fire-safe receptacle, then you can prevent fires

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Colorado Springs, CO – Sprinkler system activated for fire at manufacturing building

The Colorado Springs Fire Department was called to a structure fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Smoke was visible from the manufacturing building Foxworth-Galbraith Truss & Wall Systems on Interpark Dr. but no flames were reported.

CSFD said the buildings’ smoke detectors and sprinkler systems were activated but the fire hydrants nearby were not working properly.

Firefighters had to call for back up and quickly began to ventilate the building.

Investigators are working to determine what caused the fire and the extent of any damages.

We will continue to monitor the developments and bring you the latest updates.

Fire / Police Station, Government/Military

Commerce City, CO – Sprinkler system activated for fire inside fire house

A fire station in Commerce City has been closed and a firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out inside the fire house early Thursday morning.

The incident happened at about 2:10 a.m. at South Adams County Fire Station No. 8, 10326 Walden St., according to a news release.

The fire burned a brush/skeeter truck parked in a bay inside the fire station.

Firefighters were awakened by a fire alarm to heavy smoke and the building’s sprinkler system activated. South Adams Engine 27 responded as did Brighton Fire Truck 53. The fire was extinguished and one firefighter was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation, treated and released.

A breathing apparatus bottle in the truck exploded and produced a “boom” that was heard in the neighborhood, the news release said.

The brush truck is a total loss and station 8 will be closed for an investigation and repairs. Station 6 will serve the area typically covered by the closed station.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Fort Collins, CO – Sprinkler system controlled fire that started at fire pump

Residents of the Northern Hotel were evacuated in the early morning hours Thursday  as firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at the historic Old Town Fort Collins building. 

Poudre Fire Authority responded to 172 N. College Ave. about 2 a.m. Thursday after a fire pump — which provides water to the building’s sprinkler system — in the basement caught fire, causing smoke in the building, Poudre Fire Capt. Matt Housley said.

The fire triggered a sprinkler head, which controlled the fire until firefighters arrived a few minutes after the automatic fire alarm was triggered.

Poudre Fire, UCHealth EMS, Fort Collins Police Services and Larimer Humane Society responded. The fire was fully controlled by 3:01 a.m., Housley said. 

A total of 45 people were evacuated to the nearby Opera Galleria while firefighters worked. All were able to return home Thursday morning, Housley said. Northbound College Avenue was closed between Laporte and Mountain avenues for about three hours Thursday morning while crews responded and worked on cleanup.

Housley said crews planned to repair the fire pump Thursday and that all residents would be able to stay at the building.

“It’s not every day you get a fire pump that catches on fire and puts itself out,” he said. 

Once considered the “pearl” of Fort Collins, the Northern Hotel hasn’t welcomed guests for decades, but its top three floors have provided shelter for low-income seniors while the ground floor has flourished with stable retail, including Starbucks. 

The building underwent a renovation to its 47 small apartments last year, when owners rehabbed the plumbing; installed air conditioning; and replaced windows, flooring, cabinets, bathrooms and appliances.

Apartment Building, Residential

Greeley, CO – Arson fire at apartment 70-unit complex extinguished by sprinkler system

A woman is in jail after police say she set fire Tuesday evening to an apartment after an argument with her husband. Mindilynn Zekan, 39, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson after a fire at the Meeker Commons Apartments, 505 9th Ave., according to a news release from the Greeley Police Department. An engine, ladder truck and battalion chief responded to the fire about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday.

By the time crews arrived, no one was inside the apartment and the sprinkler system had extinguished the fire, according to a Greeley Fire Department release. After shutting down the water flow to the activated sprinkler, crews ventilated the apartment to remove smoke and residents were allowed back into the building that night. The complex has more than 70 apartments and more than 100 residents.

Zekan was present at the scene and interviewed about the incident. Greeley Police say Zekan was upset about an argument with her husband and began setting his property on fire. Zekan was taken to the Weld County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson. She remained in custody Wednesday morning pending an appearance in court. The dollar amount of fire and water damage has not been established.

Restaurant

Boulder, CO – Sprinkler system contains fire in kitchen area of restaurant; Firefighters fully extinguish blaze

Boulder Fire Rescue responded to a small fire that broke out in the kitchen of Foolish Craig’s in downtown Boulder on Wednesday night.  Battalion Chief Dave Gelderloos said a Boulder police officer called in the fire at about 8:26 p.m. after he heard and alarm and smelled smoke in the area.  A ladder truck, four engines and an ambulance were dispatched to the restaurant at 1611 Pearl St., Gelderloos said.  He said a sprinkler system in the restaurant contained the fire to the kitchen area, and firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a small fire that was still burning. A ladder truck was brought in to check the roof of the building.  The cause of the fire was not immediately known, and Gelderloos said no one was hurt.  Boulder police temporarily shut down Pearl Street between 16th Street and 17th Street, as well as the alley on the northside of the restaurant, while the fire was being extinguished. It was reopened by 10 p.m.

Residential, Single Family Home

Edwards, CO – Fire that started after vehicle crashes through garage is limited sprinkler system

At approximately 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22, Eagle River Fire Protection District was dispatched to a report of a vehicle driven into a structure on Norgaard Way in Cordillera. The vehicle was reportedly also on fire, with at least one party trapped inside. Upon arrival, crews found a vehicle that had crashed through the garage door, striking the electric meter, which subsequently caused a fire. The first arriving crew immediately began a rescue operation to remove both parties, working in near-zero visibility. The driver had self-extricated from the vehicle, but was trapped in the garage and was eventually located standing between two vehicles in heavy smoke. He was led to safety by crawling through the other car to an exterior door.

Crews immediately placed a self-contained breathing apparatus on the trapped passenger, allowing her to breathe while crews assessed the best way to conduct the extrication. During the rescue operation, the garage began to collapse, sending debris through the roof of the vehicle, striking a firefighter and the patient. A second crew quickly extinguished the fire and provided ventilation to the garage. Crews were then able to reposition the car in the garage using hydraulic equipment, and removed the patient through the driver’s side door. “Firefighters train relentlessly for dangerous situations,” said ERFPD Fire Chief Karl Bauer. “Every now and then they are confronted with a truly complex, rapidly involving incident that puts all their training to the test in unexpected ways. This was one of those incidents. For all the dangers this incident posed, we are genuinely grateful no one suffered serious injury.”

‘The outcome could have been much different’ — Both individuals were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. A dog that was in the home was taken to a local veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. The structural integrity of the house is currently being evaluated. “The sprinkler system was a key component,” explained ERFPD Community Risk Manager, Tracy LeClair. “It bought firefighters time to get on scene without the fire spreading to the rest of the structure or engulfing the vehicle. Without that extra level of protection, the outcome could have been much different.” Engine 15, Engine 12, Engine 7 and Battalion 7 from ERFPD responded and were assisted by Tower 3 from Vail Fire and Emergency Services, Eagle County Paramedic Services, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado State Patrol, Cordillera Public Safety and Vail Public Safety Communications Center.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Loveland, CO – Sprinkler system doused flames at a sushi restaurant

A fire struck the Sushi JOOA restaurant at 198 E. 29th St. on Tuesday night, although the sprinkler system doused the flames before they threatened adjacent businesses in the Palmer Gardens shopping center.

The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority was dispatched to the restaurant at 11:19 p.m. after being alerted by an automatic fire alarm, according to operations chief Greg Ward.

Loveland Fire’s first engine arrived on scene at 11:25 p.m.

The alarm was upgraded to a structure fire when firefighters saw smoke and sprinkler flow within the restaurant, he said.

Just after midnight, firefighters located the area of the extinguished fire in the space above the ceiling, Ward said Wednesday.

A sign on the front door of Sushi JOOA on Wednesday lets customers know the restaurant at 198 E. 29th St. in Loveland is closed after a fire broke out there Tuesday night. (Jenny Sparks / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

By Wednesday morning, crews had left Sushi JOOA, which will need clearance from the building and health departments before opening its doors to customers.

The Marine Corps Career Center adjacent to the restaurant suffered minor water damage, Ward said.

Dozens of businesses and offices in Palmer Gardens were unaffected and open for business, according to Loveland Fire Capt. Carie Dann, thanks to the single sprinkler head that contained the flames.

That sprinkler head activated when the air around it reached 160 degrees, she said.

“The whole building is going to be safe now,” Dann said. “People have jobs; the entire rest of the building remained open (Wednesday).”

Dann said even Sushi JOOA would be able to clean up and reopen “in a pretty rapid manner.”

That may not have been the case if the sprinkler system hadn’t been installed throughout the building when it was erected years ago.

“It could’ve been closed down for months,” Dann said. She said Loveland Fire encourages the owners of new buildings to install sprinkler systems for that very reason.

“A lot of times, people are hesitant to install sprinklers because they think there will be an accidental activation of the system,” she said, noting that accidental activation is extremely unlikely. “It’s not like in the movies, when every single sprinkler head goes off.”

Dann said Tuesday night’s fire was a good example of the value of sprinkler systems.

“You can always dry things out,” she said, “but you can’t unburn them.”

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Longmont, CO – Sprinkler system extinguishes majority of early morning fire at Target

Longmont police and fire investigators will be on scene at Target today to determine the cause of an early morning fire.

Longmont Fire Department spokeswoman Molly Cropp said the store will be closed for at least a few days as officials work to find the cause and origin.

A structure fire was reported at the store at 551 S. Hover St. at 4 a.m. today.

Firefighters found the store filled with smoke, but Cropp said the store’s sprinkler system put out the majority of the fire before they arrived on scene.

No employees or firefighters were injured during the incident.