2nd Alarm Apartment Fire

Photo courtesy of Poudre Fire Authority

At 04:03 on March 17th, 2012 Poudre Fire Authority responded to a reported apartment fire at 1301 University Ave. in Fort Collins. Engine 2 arrived on scene to find a large volume of fire from the center upstairs apartment in a 3-story, wood-frame multi-family dwelling. The fire was also impinging on an adjacent building. Fort Collins Police had arrived just prior to firefighters and were assisting in evacuation of the building. A 2nd alarm was immediately requested to bring additional resources while firefighters on-scene launched an aggressive attack and search for potential victims. The objective was to keep the fire contained as much as possible within the fire apartment and surrounding units in addition to preventing spread beyond the building. The next closest building was also evacuated due to the fire’s impingement. The fire apartment was totally destroyed along with some fire, smoke and water damage to at least four other apartments and the roof structure. Firefighters were able to limit damage to the exterior of the next closest building.  PFA Investigators were called to the scene to determine the origin and cause. Fire investigators determined the origin of the fire to be an exterior balcony on the east side of the building, and unintentional; improper discarding of smoking materials. Evacuees were taken to a local church by PFA’s Customer Assistance Response Team. The American Red Cross responded to assist with immediate food, clothing and shelter needs. Additional information provided by Poudre Fire Authority

Fort Collins Police Department, Fort Collins 911 & Poudre Valley EMS

Photo courtesy of Poudre Fire Authority

Photo courtesy of Poudre Fire Authority

Photo courtesy of Poudre Fire Authority

Photo courtesy of Poudre Fire Authority