South Metro Tanker Fire

At 05:23 on April 27th, 2026 South Metro Fire Rescue responded to a commercial carrier fire near the intersection of S. Santa Fe Drive and W. Chenango Ave. in Littleton. Engine 11 advised that header in the air and to add additional engine and dispatch advised that multiple callers. Engine 11 arrived to a large fuel tanker fully involved and pulled a 2 1/2 for fire attack. Battalion 2 arrived on scene and assumed command in the offensive strategy and requested a full hazmat response and a brush for the fire extending into the nearby vegetation. Firefighters worked with heavy fire conditions and due to the fire’s proximity to nearby exposures and the incident was upgraded to a confirmed commercial structure fire. Ladder 12 secured the water supply to Engine 11 and started structure protection and Medic 12 as medical. Brush 16 arrived and started fire attack in the vegetation along the greenbelt with was quickly contain. S. Santa Fe Drive was closed in both directions just north of W. Belleview Ave. during the incident. Crews remained on scene for several hours, monitoring conditions and allowing the fire to burn in a controlled manner to reduce environmental impacts from hazardous runoff that could occur with excessive water application. SMFR’s specialized Foam Unit and the Hazardous Materials Team also responded to perform mitigation work and monitor the impact to the South Platte River. The SMFR Fire Marshal’s Office and Englewood Police Department are investigating the cause of the fire. Additional information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue

Initial Response:

South Metro: Battalion 2, Engine 11, Medic 11 & Ladder 12

Added Engine:

South Metro: Engine 13

Full Hazmat Response:

South Metro: District 1, Safety 1, Med 2, Hazmat 38, Hazmat 17 & Medic 17 

Arapahoe Rescue Patrol: Rehab 12

Confirmed Commercial Structure Fire Response:

South Metro: Battalion 1, Med 1, Ladder 34, Rescue 34, Tower 18 & Medic 12

Added:

South Metro: Chief 11, Chief 12, Chief 13, Log 10, Brush 16, Foam 46, Medic 13, Engine 14, Brush 33, Engine 16, Medic 15, Medic 18, PIO 14, Bureau 22, Bureau 24, 

South Metro Emergency Communications: IDT 2, IDT 31, IDT 32 & IDT 33

Mutual-Aid:

Denver Fire Department: Chief 7, Engine 36, Engine 37, Engine 28, Truck 38 & Rescue 1

Englewood Police Department, Littleton Police Department, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Arapahoe County OEM, Denver Water & Xcel Energy