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WILDERNEST —A fire that started in a unit at the Snowbird condominium complex in Wildernest Monday afternoon quickly spread through the space between the chimney and the exterior walls, making it difficult for firefighters to gain access to the flames.
“This has been a very difficult effort because the fire is mostly enclosed,” Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Parmley said at the scene Monday. “We’re dealing with a lot of over construction in that area of the building, and the fire is running throughout the roof area.”
The fire was reported about 2 p.m. and could be seen from Interstate 70, as thick, yellow smoke billowed from the seams of the building.
Local authorities were forced to shut down Ryan Gulch Road for part of the afternoon to allow access for fire crews from Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue, Red, White & Blue Fire Protection and the Copper Mountain Fire District.
Residents and neighbors gathered on the sidewalk arm-in-arm, watching in silence as firefighter with chainsaws cut holes in the roof for ventilation. All residents in the ten-unit building were evacuated safely, and no one was injured.
“I’m just glad I got my dog out,” neighboring resident Kevin Lovett said. “It’s almost like you want to go in there and do something, but you can’t. It’s so unreal.”
The fire spread through the roof of at least two units in the complex, roaring through the rafters of Lovett’s condo, which had a For Sale sign hanging in the window.
“I guess it’s still for sale,” Lovett said. “That is, if there is anyone out there who would now want to buy it.”
Fire authorities have yet to determine the cause or origin of the fire, but the chimneys in the building were cleaned in June as part of the requirements from the homeowners’ association.
“The building is half locals and half seasonal rentals,” unit owner Kevin Smits said. “It’s going to be an absolute mess getting back in there.”
The Snowbird condominium complex was built in 1972 and did not have an active sprinkler system.
Ashley Dickson can be reached at (970) 668-4629, or at adickson@summitdaily.com.
“This has been a very difficult effort because the fire is mostly enclosed,” Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Parmley said at the scene Monday. “We’re dealing with a lot of over construction in that area of the building, and the fire is running throughout the roof area.”
The fire was reported about 2 p.m. and could be seen from Interstate 70, as thick, yellow smoke billowed from the seams of the building.
Local authorities were forced to shut down Ryan Gulch Road for part of the afternoon to allow access for fire crews from Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue, Red, White & Blue Fire Protection and the Copper Mountain Fire District.
Residents and neighbors gathered on the sidewalk arm-in-arm, watching in silence as firefighter with chainsaws cut holes in the roof for ventilation. All residents in the ten-unit building were evacuated safely, and no one was injured.
“I’m just glad I got my dog out,” neighboring resident Kevin Lovett said. “It’s almost like you want to go in there and do something, but you can’t. It’s so unreal.”
The fire spread through the roof of at least two units in the complex, roaring through the rafters of Lovett’s condo, which had a For Sale sign hanging in the window.
“I guess it’s still for sale,” Lovett said. “That is, if there is anyone out there who would now want to buy it.”
Fire authorities have yet to determine the cause or origin of the fire, but the chimneys in the building were cleaned in June as part of the requirements from the homeowners’ association.
“The building is half locals and half seasonal rentals,” unit owner Kevin Smits said. “It’s going to be an absolute mess getting back in there.”
The Snowbird condominium complex was built in 1972 and did not have an active sprinkler system.
Ashley Dickson can be reached at (970) 668-4629, or at adickson@summitdaily.com.
