DENVER, CO METRO AREA

On July 15th, 2011 it was time to get out and do a little fire buffing up in the Denver Metro area. I started the trip with a trip to Pueblo Fire Department’s Hose Company No. 3 Museum. Information and photos from the museum can be found in the “FIRE MUSEUMS” section. I want to thank Eric Hurst of 5280 Fire.Com for taking me out on a full day buffing adventure in the “5280” (the official elevation of the City of Denver). I also had the opportunity to hang out with Gary Knoller (a long-time Newark, NJ Fire Buff) to shoot some photos of a number of Denver Fire Stations and make a visit to the Denver Firefighters Monument located at the Fairmount Cemetery. Information and photos from the monument can be found in the “FIRE MEMORIALS” section.

On the afternoon of July 16th, 2011 Denver Firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of North Martin Luther King Boulevard and East Newport Street for a report of a structure fire. First due Engine 26 arrived at 3201 Newport Street and found a single story, single family dwelling with light smoke showing. The engine laid in, advanced an attack line and completed a primary search. A small kitchen fire was quickly located and knocked down with no extension. All searches proved negative and no injuries were reported.

On the afternoon of July 16th, 2011 South Metro Fire units were dispatched to the Stratford Station Apartments at 7535 East Peakview in Centennial, CO for a report of the fire alarm sounding. The fire alarm system was having problems after a thunderstorm had passed through the area. Engine Company 31 had discovered smoke in an electrical closet and requested the Tower Ladder 32 also respond. No fire extension was found.

Around 00:20 on July 17th, 2011, Denver Engine 11 was alerted to a vehicle fire at Interstate 25 and the Alameda exit. The crew quickly arrived and found a vehicle on the southbound off ramp with a well involved engine compartment. The fire was knocked within a few minutes and no injuries were reported.

Station #24 opened on October 13th, 1952 at 2695 South Colorado Boulevard. It is now home to Engine #24. At the time of the opening, most of the area around the station was open fields with a new subdivision to the west. The first run for Engine 24 came in on October 16th, 1952.

The area known as “Westwood” was annexed into Denver in 1948 and Station #23, located at 850 South Federal Boulevard, opened on September 1st, 1951. The station is now home to Engine & Truck 23 and District Chief #7.

Old Station #13 opened its doors in 1892 as a Volunteer Hose Company serving the South Denver Subdivision. Located at the intersection of South Broadway and Center Avenue, it ceased operation as an active firehouse on February 28th, 1974. Now, if I could just win the Powerball…

While the history of Station #11 dates back to the late 1800’s, this station was opened on March 22nd, 1937. Located at 40 West 2nd Avenue, the station was built under a grant from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in a unique art deco design. It is now home to Engine #11 and Rescue #1.