Byers Commercial Fire

Photo courtesy of Strasburg Fire Protection District

On November 29th, 2024 at 10:40 the I-70 Corridor was dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire on E. Pleasant Ave. in Byers. Multiple 911 callers were reporting fire and smoke from a commercial structure and smoke was visible in the air from a distance. First arriving Chief 71 sized up an 80 x 50 metal building with a large volume of fire showing from the Charlie/Delta corner and declared a defensive fire attack strategy. The building was used as a service facility for large trucks and heavy equipment thus had a significant fire load present. Multiple large explosions were heard from inside prompting Arapahoe County Sheriff to request a “Code Red” alert to evacuate surrounding homes at 10:49. The first arriving suppression units Tender 71 and Brush Engine 81 put a deck gun and attack line into service for initial fire attack. Due to the size of the building and the volume of fire additional tenders were requested to respond. As additional resources arrived Battalion Chief 91 was assigned to operations, Med 9 as Safety and Tender 71 to water ops. Additional attack lines were also put into service once it was safe to work closer to the windows and doors of the structure. Buckley Engine 1 was able to tag a hydrant a considerable distance away and lay in to support water supply. The fire was declared to be under control at approximately 11:50 at which time the “Code Red” was also cancelled. Extensive overhaul was required that took several more hours. Chief 81, with assistance from Bureau 91 and a Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) Investigator, worked the scene for several hours. It was determined that at least one of the large explosions was from an acetylene tank letting go, which blew out part of the back side of the building, with parts being found some 50 feet away. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, with a dollar loss in equipment and building estimated at several million dollars. One firefighter sustained minor injuries. Information and photos provided by Strasburg Fire Protection District

Units on Scene:

Byers Fire Protection District: Chief 71, Tender 71 & Medic 72

Strasburg Fire Protection District: Chief 81, Brush Engine 81, Tender 81 & Medic 81

Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue: Battalion Chief 91, Med 9, Quint 91, Engine 92, Tender 91, Tender 92, Medic 93 & Bureau 91

Sable Altura Fire Rescue: Chief 42

Deer Trail Rural Fire Protection District: Tender 31

Buckley Space Force Emergency Services: Engine 1

Agate Fire Protection District: Tender 291

North Central Fire Protection District: Tender 241 (Cancelled)

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: Fire Investigator

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, CORE Energy & Colorado Natural Gas