2nd Alarm Structure Fire

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

At approximately 11:03 on April 5th, 2024 Colorado Springs Public Safety Communications Center dispatched the Colorado Springs Fire Department to the 800 block of W. Jefferson St. for a possible tree fire. While Engine 9 was responding they requested to upgrade to a structure fire assignment due to multiple calls incoming for a possible structure fire in the area. While enroute, Medic 23 advised responding fire apparatus of heavy smoke coming from the area of the incident. Engine 9 arrived and advised heavy smoke and fire coming from an outbuilding and it was threatening the main residence. Engine 9 established a water supply and pulled a primary attack line. While enroute, Engine 1 was involved in a traffic accident and was taken off the structure fire assignment. Battalion Chief 1 requested an update if the fire had spread to the residence being threatened, after Engine 9 confirmed the fire had spread, Battalion Chief 1 requested a 2nd Alarm assignment. Engine 9 received confirmation that all occupants have exited the structure. Truck 9 arrived and requested Colorado Springs Police Department respond to the incident due to there being a physical altercation occurring on scene. Truck 9 was assigned primary search and ventilation. Battalion Chief 1 assumed command, Engine 9 was reported the fire was gas feed. Command then transitioned to a defensive fire after being advised the fire is gas feed and began hear explosions. Engine 9 then reported a loss of water pressure from their water supply, Engine 6 then stretched a secondary water supply. While Truck 9 was conducting ventilation they reported wildland exposure to the north of the main body of fire. Command then requested 2 brush trucks with crews of 4 respond to the incident. Engine 6 was then requested to pull an exposure line to the east side of the structure. With multiple companies inside the structure fire, Engine 9 officer was designated Alpha division. HazMat 14 arrived and was assigned Safety and Accountability; Alpha Division advised still had heavy fire coming from the building and would need an additional line. Engine 5 pulling an additional attack line from Engine 6 to aid in fire attack on the Alpha Division. Squad 7 established incident rehab. Engine 13 arrived assumed staging coordinator. Heavy Rescue 17 was assigned RIC (Rapid Intervention Crew). Battalion Chief 2 reported they were going to lose Delta Division and then transitioned to an offensive strategy. HazMat 14 advised command there was a downed powerline on the Bravo side of the structure and requested an ETA on utilities. Truck 1 was requested to move up and start setting up for a master stream. At 11:30, Delta Division cleared the channel for emergency traffic and advised all interior units to evacuate the building and go defensive. HazMat 14 then conducted a PAR (Personnel Accountability Report). PAR was reported complete at 11:33 and that all units were exterior. Fire crews continued to defensive operations on the fire. Once crews were able to get a knock down on the fire all 3 buildings on the property (main residence, outbuilding, and shed) were all total losses, with 2 people were displaced. Wildland 4 was then requested by command to bring additional Class A foam to the scene. No injuries were reported by civilians or responders. Units remained on scene of the fire overnight for Fire Watch, to ensure the fire would not rekindle. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, Division of the Fire Marshal.

Units on Scene:

Outside Fire Assignment: Engine 9

1st Alarm Assignment: Battalion Chief 1, Engine 1 (Cancelled), Engine 6, Truck 1 & Truck 9

Working Fire Assignment: Battalion Chief 2, Heavy Rescue 17, Squad 7, EMS 73 & Special Ops 52

2nd Alarm Assignment: Engine 5, Engine 13, Engine 25 (Cancelled), Truck 4 & Air 15

1st Special Call: Engine 2, Hazmat 14, Marshal 1203 & Marshal 1204

Brush Fire Assignment: Brush 3 & Brush 12

2nd Special Call: Wildland 4

American Medical Response: Medic 23 & Ops 2

Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado Springs Community Services & Colorado Springs Utilities

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department