Flashover Causes Vapor Explosion that Injures CO Firefighters

April 5, 2021
Three West Metro Fire Rescue firefighters were taken to the hospital for injuries they suffered while battling a garage fire at a Jefferson County apartment complex.

Three firefighters were injured Saturday morning battling a garage fire in Jefferson County.

West Metro Fire Rescue responded at about 9:30 a.m. to the Tanemara apartments, 11439 W. Burgandy Ave., near the intersection of South Simms Street and West Bowles Avenue, on a garage fire, according to the fire department.

The fire started in the engine compartment of a white C3 Corvette parked inside an adjoined garage at the complex, west metro said, and when firefighters arrived light smoke was showing.

Our crews this morning on a garage fire at an apartment complex near Simms and Bowles. When the first crews arrived on...

Posted by West Metro Fire Rescue on Saturday, April 3, 2021

When firefighters opened the garage door the "smoldering fire flashed over, causing a vapor explosion," west metro said. Three firefighters suffered "minor injuries" and were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Firefighters contained the "accidental" fire to the one garage unit. An arson dog, named ROTC, helped fire investigators with their work on Saturday.

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