Cornerstone Ranch Apartment Fire

Charles Broshous Photo ©

At 09:32 on October 8th, 2018 South Metro Fire Rescue Engine 42 and Tower 35 were dispatched to a fire alarm activation at Cornerstone Ranch Apartment Homes 16363 E. Fremont Ave. in Arapahoe County. While they were responding a report came from onsite advising that water and smoke were coming from under a door on the top floor. The incident was upgraded to a structure fire and additional crews were dispatched. First arriving Engine 42 found nothing visible from the large 3 story apartment building when they arrived but encountered heavy smoke in one apartment. Engine 42 established a water supply, Medic 42 and Tower 35 assisted with searches and Battalion 32 assumed command. Safety 3 was assigned as Division 3 Supervisor and Safety 34 as the incident safety officer. Firefighters verified that a fire triggered the sprinkler system which successfully extinguished the flames and the water was shut down. The apartments were searched, no occupants were found and one cat was safely removed uninjured. Crews spent the next hour working on damage control from the water by using tarps, moving furniture into the breezeway and squeegeeing water to the outside. Residents of 3 apartments were displaced by the damage and apartment complex management is assisting them. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was accidental and electrical in nature. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

Units on Scene: Battalion 32, Battalion 41, Safety 3, Safety 34, Engine 42, Medic 42, Tower 35, Engine 62, Engine 31, Medic 31, Engine 41, Rescue 34, PIO 30, Bureau 31 & Bureau 44

Arapahoe County Sheriff

Charles Broshous Photo ©