Denver 2nd Alarm Incident

Charles Broshous Photo ©

At 16:09 on April 8th, 2015 Denver Fire Department was dispatched to a Class 1 fire alarm at 1999 Broadway. Crews arrived to a 44 story commercial highrise with nothing showing, and began investigation. Automatic smoke detectors activated on several floors including P1, 3rd & 30th floor, with occupants that were trapped in a stalled elevator on the 17th floor of a blind hoist-way. Crews reported smoke conditions inside, and Chief 2 arrived and assumed command, and transmitted a highrise fire. Chief 4 assigned as lobby control, and radio to radio 2 was used for operations. Engine 15 laid in and supplied the FDC. Command requested additional channel, and radio to radio 3 was given to Chief 6 which was assigned to elevator group with Engine 15, Truck 15, Rescue 1 & Tower 1. The crew of Hamer 1 was divided between command and lobby to assist. A burned elevator motor was suspected and a search was conducted. Engine 1 reported an odor of smoke on the 3rd floor, Engine 15 cleared P1 and Engine 3 cleared floor 30 with nothing found. An electrical vault fire was found inside the building on the 29th floor, that only Xcel would have access too, and an expedited response was requested. Lobby reported urgent radio traffic, with a person that could not evacuate on the 41st floor with smoke odor. Elevator group reported that the elevators were not usable and all rescue equipment would have to be used via the stairs. With an hands working, command transmitted a 2nd alarm and a hold order was announced by dispatch. Move ups began across the city including Engine 24 to Station 6. Building security began evacuating of the entire building from the top floor down using the stairwell. The electrical problem was quickly mitigated in the basement module, with only smoke and no fire extension was found. No medical transports were required. Additional information was provided by Denver Fire Department.

Units on Scene:

Class 1 Alarm: Chief 2, Engine 3 & Rescue 1

Elevator Rescue: Engine 1 & Tower 4

1st Alarm: Chief 4, Chief 6, Engine 6, Engine 15, Truck 15, Tower 1 & Hamer 1

2nd Alarm: Engine 8, Engine 12, Engine 18, Tower 9 & Truck 12

Denver Paramedics, Denver Police Department & Federal Protective Service