Strasburg Outbuilding Fire

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

On October 25th, 2021 at 14:37 Strasburg Fire Protection District along with the East I-70 Corridor automatic-aid agencies were dispatched to an outbuilding fire in the 54700 block of E. Bison Dr. in Strasburg. Initial callers reported smoke in an outbuilding used as a shop, but within three minutes additional callers were reporting explosions and the entire building on fire, with a large plume visible from Bennett. Engine 82 with Chief 81 on-board arrived on-scene and sized up a 1,800 square foot cinder block structure fully involved, with windy conditions threatening a residential structure and garage to the north. The garage contained a vehicle and significant quantities of flammable and combustible material which created intense fire conditions.  Command was passed to Battalion Chief 91, and two lines were stretched from Engine 82 for fire attack and exposure protection on the east side.  Quint 91 stretched an attack line from Bison to the west side of the structure as well.  Rural water supply was provided utilizing tenders from Strasburg, Byers, Bennett, Sable-Altura and Buckley Air Force Base. Embers from the fire also started a small fire in a small animal pen and chicken coop some 80-feet away from the fire building. Brush 82 was assigned to this secondary issue. The fire involved not only the outbuilding, but a trailer home located next to it, as well as an assortment of flammable and combustible material surrounding the fire building. After the initial fire attack large quantities of Class-A foam were utilized to aid in extinguishment. A Skid-Steer we used to knock down the partially standing cinder block walls, and to pull the remains of the truck from the garage to allow better access. The Skid-Steer was also invaluable in moving some of the debris piles around in order to access smoldering materials.  The wind, which was gusting up to 25 miles an hour, created very smoky conditions throughout, and one resident was transported to a local hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. It was later ascertained that a roll-up garage door and several windows were open on opposite sides of the structure when the fire started, thus the wind conditions in concert with the flammable and combustible load inside the building created the rapidly spreading and intense fire. Crews were on-scene for four-hours mitigating the hazards and ensuring all hotspots were completely extinguished. The cause of the fire has been ruled as undetermined at this time. Additional information provided by Strasburg Fire Protection District

Units on Scene

Strasburg: Chief 81, Chief 83, Engine 82, Brush 82, Brush Engine 81, Tender 81 & Medic 83

Byers Fire Protection District: Brush Engine 71, Tender 71, Medic 71 & Medic 72

Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue: Battalion Chief 91, Chief 91, Quint 91, Engine 92, Tender 91 & Tender 92

Sable Altura Fire Rescue: Tender 41

Buckley Fire & Emergency Services: Chief 2 & Tender-8

South Metro Fire Emergency Communications: IDT 2

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy

Photo courtesy by Patrick Conroy