Strasburg Building Explosion

Photo courtesy of Strasburg Fire Protection District

On September 20th, 2023 at 11:34 Strasburg Fire Protection District and Byers Fire Protection District were dispatched to a reported hot water heater explosion in a commercial building on E. Colfax Ave. The first arriving Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy reported a hole through the roof of a warehouse/service building with smoke throughout the structure, and Chief 81 upgraded the incident to an I-70 Corridor response. Callers reported hearing the blast several blocks away. Investigation revealed that the source of the explosion was actually from a pressurized air cylinder that had been in place unused for decades but was still in-line from the building compressor. The bottom of the tank catastrophically failed. The bottom of the cylinder penetrated the ceiling of a bathroom destroying it. Damage was also evident throughout the warehouse. The cylinder itself rocketed through the roof landing approximately 70-feet away in the parking lot. There were no injuries as a result of the blast. Information provided by Strasburg Fire Protection District

Units on Scene:

Strasburg: Chief 81 & Engine 81

Byers: Chief 71

Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue: Med 9, Brush 93, Tender 91, Medic 91 & Engine 92 (Cancelled)

Sable Altura Fire Rescue: (Cancelled)

Deer Trail Rural Fire Protection District: (Cancelled)

Adams County Sheriff & Colorado Natural Gas

Photo courtesy of Strasburg Fire Protection District

Photo courtesy of Strasburg Fire Protection District

Photo courtesy of Strasburg Fire Protection District

Photo courtesy of Strasburg Fire Protection District