Grand Junction Motel Fire

At 21:38 on September 19th, 2021 the Grand Junction Regional Communications Center dispatched Grand Junction Fire Department to a reported commercial structure fire at the Prospector Point Apartments, 547 Hwy. 50. Multiple callers reported a swamp cooler on fire on the backside of the address with smoke and flames visible. Units enroute were updated with a new address of 555 Hwy. 50, the Prospector Motel with the nearest hydrant in front of 5551/2 Hwy. 50. Engine 4 arrived to a medium size, single-story, multi-residence unit with a working fire, calling an offensive strategy on the Delta 1 and Bravo 1 exposures with a defensive strategy on the fully involved apartment. Truck 1 was requested to pull a line to rear of the structure while Engine 4 attacked the front. Battalion 1 arrived on scene, requested Engine 5 to be re-added to the fire and established Prospector Command. Ambulance 1 arrived, established a water supply to Engine 4 and secured utilities. Units from the GJPD attempted to evacuate all units in the complex. Engine 3 arrived on scene and assisted with search and rescue of the structure. Engine 2 arrived on scene and positioned on deck. Engine 4 achieved a quick knock of the main body of fire and had a full knockdown within five minutes of water on the fire. Truck 6 arrived and positioned on deck. One deceased fire victim was located in the main involved unit. Captain 4 was assigned to Operations while Captain 5 was assigned safety and Ambulance 1 was reassigned to on-deck. The secondary search proved negative, and no additional victims were located. The fire damaged at least 3 units in the apartment complex. The fire is under investigation by the Grand Junction Fire Department’s Fire Investigation’s Unit and the Grand Junction Police Department’s Investigation Unit. The cause of the fire is unknown, and the fire is being investigated in conjunction with the PD due to the fatality.

Initial Alarm: Battalion 1, Truck 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Truck 6, Ambulance 1, Ambulance 4

Special Call: Engine 5, Investigator 1, Chief 3, GJPD Investigators

Grand Junction Police Department & Xcel Energy