Structure Fire – 01/17/14 – Durango, CO

A noon time structure fire in the Durango Fire District (DFD) prompted an automatic aid response from the Los Pinos and Upper Pine Fire Districts. Units were dispatched to 517 County Road 230 on a report of a house fire. DFD Battalion Chief Randy Black arrived on scene and reported a working fire in the attic of a 1.5-story farm house. Since the fire occurred in a non-hydrant area, water supply operations were established to accommodate a water tender shuttle. DFD Battalion Chief Mike Krupa was placed in charge of water supply.

Due to fire conditions and the age of the building, Battalion Chief Black ordered a defensive strategy be employed for the fire attack. DFD Captain Jeff Harris and the crew of Engine One started extinguishing visible fire from the exterior of the house. Once the bulk of the fire was knocked down, firefighters worked to open up portions of the building to douse the flames that could not be reached by the doors and windows.

An extensive overhaul operation took place to reach hidden pockets of fire. The metal roof covering on the structure had to be removed along the “A” side of the home to reach smoldering portions of the wood deck below the covering. DFD Firefighters persevered, as the remaining fire was extinguished about two hours into the event. Units remained on-scene conducting salvage measures most of the afternoon. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the DFD Fire Marshal’s Office.