Shortly before 9pm, firefighters from Union Colony Fire/Rescue Authority in Greeley, Colorado were called to 1201 Ash Avenue in east Greeley to a reported structure fire.
Upon their arrival fire crews found a bird seed silo/bin fully involved in fire with flames threatening a nearby agricultural elevator and 200 foot by 300 foot warehouse building. They immediately called a second alarm to bring more personnel and equipment to the scene.
Fire crews then implemented a stubborn defensive strategy to keep the fire from spreading to the threatened buildings using an aerial ladder truck and large hose lines.
Firefighters were held at safe distance in order to be prepared for a possible collapse of the structure.
Assistance was also requested from the nearby Evans Fire Department for an additional aerial ladder truck. After spraying thousands of gallons of water per minute for about an hour and a half, the fire was brought under control and held to the structure of origin.
Approximately 40 firefighting personnel fought the blaze. As of 2am Thursday, crews remained on scene extinguishing some minor hot spots. Firefighting efforts were complicated by a 19-degree temperature and heavy snowfall.
The occupant is Kaylor Made Products company and the silo/bins contained primarily birdseed.
No injuries to citizens or firefighters were reported.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature associated with a mechanical failure.
Damage is estimated to be over $150,000.
For more info on Union Colony Fire Rescue visit www.UnionColonyFire.org.
