Fort Collins, CO – Poudre Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from an occupant of this residence reporting smoke in the house and smoke alarms sounding.
Poudre Fire Authority crews found a four-level wood-frame residence with smoke coming from the eaves. This fire eventually went to three alarms.
Upon further investigation, crews discovered a large amount of fire in the laundry room on the main level. The fire was also running through many void spaces above and below.
Firefighters faced many challenges during this incident. They included that the four-level residence that was located at the end of a long, narrow, steep and winding dirt road at the top of a ridge; no fire hydrants which meant crews had to lay at least 1,400 feet of supply hose and utilize water tenders to deliver water; fire was on at least three levels traveling through multiple void spaces while burning through floors and stairways.
The entire residence suffered significant smoke damage and at least half suffered fire damage. The four residents will be displaced for an unknown amount of time.
The origin has been determined to be a utility room. However, the cause is still under investigation.
Off-duty PFA crews along with Loveland Fire & Rescue Department were called in to cover vacated fire stations.
