Fire & Explosion Destroy Three Historic Buildings in Downtown Durango, Colorado, Injuring Seven Firefighters

Fire spread rapidly through three structures on Main Avenue in historic downtown Durango, Colorado, Friday afternoon resulting in a violent explosion from the burning buildings. The force of the blast blew three firefighters onto the sidewalk from the roof, two of whom were buried not only under bricks, glass and debris, but one on top of the other.

Firefighters quickly retreated from the roof, while others on the ground, including by-standers, lay on the pavement or scattered to avoid glass and bricks flying across the street as a result of the intense explosion.

Although not determined, it is believed to have started in the Seasons Rotisserie & Grill, built in 1895, and quickly spread through the attics of two other historic buildings, Le Rendezvous Swiss Bakery (1900) and Half-Price Tees (1895). A fourth building was partially destroyed.

Dave Abercrombie, Public Information Officer for the Durango Fire & Rescue Authority, said that additional fire investigators have been called in to determine the cause of the fire. Although cleanup is progressing, most of the rubble must be left untouched until the investigation is complete.
 
"My guess is next week at the earliest before we can determine the cause of the fire." Abercrombie stated. "It will take that long to go through all the rubble. I suspect explaining the explosion will be the tougher nut to crack," he added.
 
As a result of the fire and explosion, three firefighters were admitted to Mercy Hospital with non-life threatening conditions, and four others were treated for minor injuries and released. Deputy Chief Clay was released from the hospital yesterday (Sunday) and "seems to be doing reasonably well," said Abercrombie.

At its peak 105 firefighters from Durango and three neighboring fire and rescue units were battling the blaze.  Additional police officers, including the Colorado Mounted Rangers, were called in to assist the Durango Police Department.  The local Red Cross and Medical Reserve Corps were also mobilized as support for the firefighters who worked though the afternoon and evening to contain the fire.

"This is the worst fire in my 22 years as a firefighter," said auxiliary Durango firefighter and fire investigator Everett Hoyt.

This destructive fire and subsequent explosion in the 700 block of Main Avenue has left a black scar in the heart of downtown Durango, although it is certainly not their first brush with fire. In 1974 a Durango police officer and a firefighter were killed when a brick wall fell on them following an explosion in the 800 block of Main Avenue. In 2006 the Central Hotel at 975 Main Avenue was burned, causing 23 tenants to lose their home. However, one of the most frightening fires was the Missionary Ridge Fire in 2002, which in conjunction with the Valley Fire, burned over 70,000 acres and came within in two miles of the town.

Durango is now cleaning up after the recent fire and a fund has been started to help those now out of work.  Joann Wade, Medical Reserve Corps coordinator said, "Durango is not just a town, it's a community where we help one another."

Note: I received a call today from Everett Hoyt, one of the fire inspectors. They are still not ready to release the cause of the fire and explosion. He also informed me that nine firefighters ended up in the hospital, all but one have gone home. The Assistant Fire Chief remains in the hospital and his condition has been upgraded from stable to good.
 
Cheri Cabot, Politics Correspondent
Cheri's column, "Personal About Politics," published every week, will reflect on how the life of a 58 year-old, middle class woman is affected by politics, policy and the current state of the nation - a look at the personal aspects of politics. The articles will be posted to Politics.gather.com as part of Gather Essentials.

Cheri is a freelance writer, living in Southern California.  She has two grown children, one in Iowa and one at Columbia University, and is the proud grandmother of two. Cheri is also a purveyor of fine coffee, warm chatter and dry wit.

You can find all of Cheri's columns on Personal About Politics at www.ccabot.gather.com.





 

 



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