Grand County Structure Fire

Photo courtesy of Chief Holzwarth of East Grand Fire Rescue

At approximately 02:55 on April 13th, 2020 East Grand Fire Protection District # 4 was dispatched to the 300 block on Lion’s Gate Dr. for a structure fire. Grand County Communications Center advised East Grand units, there was possibly a party and their dogs trapped in one of the second-floor apartments. Upon arrival, Chief 450 reported heavy flames and smoke showing and requested auto-aid from Grand Fire Protection District # 1 to bring an engine and ladder. Once the first Grand Fire unit was dispatched, Lion’s Gate command then requested additional aid from Grand Lake Fire Protection District and Hot Sulphur Springs / Parshall Fire Protection District. Tower 491 arrived and set-up the master stream, deployed a 2 1/2 attack line to the Delta-Charlie corner of the structure from Engine 483, and conducted a primary search of the structure. Engine 333 arrived and assigned to pull a 2 1/2 attack line to the Alpha-Delta corner and to assist crews in conducting a primary search. Engine 371 assigned to stage at East Grand HQ Station and Engine 289 was dispatched to the scene, while Engine 285 was assigned to stage at the East Grand Tabernash Station. While crews continue to battle the flames, an area around the structure was taped off and crews were called out of the building after sagging in the roof was discovered presenting a risk of collapse. Engine 333 and Engine 481 then extended their aerials to assist Tower 491 in covering the structure with master stream protection. Crews were able to get the main body of fire under control within an hour and a half of the initial dispatch. With Grand County EMS on scene, they quickly established a rehab area inside Support 492 located just north of the base of operations. Members from East Grand and Grand Fire jointly set up a blitz fire stream on the Bravo-Charlie corner. Crews then continued to extinguish hot spots well after sunrise. During the overhaul operations, crews also began a search for an unaccounted for resident and their pets. During the search, crews discovered area that the victim was said to be in was inaccessible due to partial collapse. Just before 08:00 crews were called out of the building after discovering the extent of the collapse. East Grand crews remained on scene into the rest of the morning to continue searching for hotspots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

East Grand: Chief 450, Engine 481, Engine 482, Engine 483, Tower 491, Support 492 & Utility 475

Grand: Engine 333 & Tower 330

Grand Lake: Chief 351 & Engine 371

Hot Sulphur Springs / Parshall: Engine 285 & Engine 289

Grand County EMS: Medic 1 & Medic 5

Grand County Sheriff, Grand County Office of Emergency Management, Fraser / Winter Park Police Department, Mountain Parks Electric & Xcel Energy