Colorado Springs Apartment Fire

Photos Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

At approximately 01:15 on December 1st, 2023 the Colorado Springs Public Safety Communications Center dispatched the Colorado Springs Fire Department to the 3400 block of Quail Lake Rd. for a possible structure fire. While units were en route, Colorado Springs 911 began receiving a large amount of calls several stating the fire was spreading to multiple apartments and the roof of the building had collapsed with multiple people and animals possibly trapped. Engine 4 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke and fire showing, then immediately requested a 2nd alarm and an additional ambulance. Engine 4 and Truck 4 began fire attack and primary search of the building and reported heavy fire with partial collapse of the building and multiple people possibly trapped, including 2 children. Battalion 1 arrived on scene and assumed Quail Lake Command, Engine 4 was then assigned to the Alpha Division with Engine 4 and Engine 16. At 01:38, Truck 4 advised units in the Alpha / Delta corner on all 3 floors were cleared and continued their search. Battalion 2 arrived and assumed Alpha Division from Engine 4 Officer, while 73 was assigned Charlie Division. Engine 1 brought out 1 victim with minor injuries. At 01:54, command gave an all clear for the entire building, while Heavy Rescue 17 established RIC on the Alpha / Bravo corner. As crews continued searching for active fire, utilities were controlled by HazMat 14 and a bus from Mountain Metro Transit was requested to provided residences of the complex a place to stay warm. Colorado Springs Public Works Operations & Maintenance Division was also requested to bring out a sand truck and ice melt due to the water run off freezing. Once the fire was called under control companies began rotating through rehab while conducting overhaul. Once crews found no extension, they left the scene to investigators and the Colorado Springs Police Department. Only 1 minor injury to a civilian was reported, no injuries to responders, and all residents of the complex were accounted for. Cause of the fire is under investigation by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, Division of the Fire Marshal.

Initial Assignment: Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 16, Truck 1, Truck 4, Truck 8 & Battalion 1

Working Fire Assignment: Heavy Rescue 17, HazMat 14, Squad 21, Battalion Chief 2, Special Ops 52, X-Ray 198 (Fire  Investigator), X-Ray 199 (Fire  Investigator) & 73

2nd Alarm Assignment: Engine 1, Engine 11, Engine 23, Truck 9 & Air 15

AMR – Colorado Springs: Medic 33, Medic 46, Medic 97 & Ops 3

El Paso County Emergency Incident Support: EIS 52

El Paso County HazMat Response Team: Hazmat 3251

Special Call: Engine 7, Squad 1, PIO 1 & 74

Fire Watch: Brush 7, Brush 19, Brush 22 & Wildland 4

Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Springs Public Works Operations & Maintenance Division & Mountain Metro Transit

Photos Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photos Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photos Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photos Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photos Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department01