4 Alarm Fire, CSFD

[radiowatcher_06]

Full 4 Alarm Fire, CSFD

Huge three story apartment fire off of San Miguel and Academy, working fire for 50 min now. Full ladder pipe operation at 2:11 am. Frozen hydrant problems :-( Sounding like E-7, E-8, T-1, T-8, D-2, H2-14, E-16, H12-17, E-10, T-10, E-6, A-15, E-2, E-17, E-12, T-4, E-9, E-14, D-3, E-16, T-19 (and i'm sure i'm missing a couple). Now that’s a bunch of Trucks and Engines! Sounds like OEM arrived at 2:16 am. Multiple cars on fire in parking lot! Traffic on Comm 4, Comm 8, and staging on Channel 12. Fire still strong at 2:40 am and all personnel are accounted for. Still victims in the lower apartments 2:46 am (all conscious and breathing). Calling it a total loss roof is almost gone and there has been a partial collapse, fire fighters making little headway to extinguish center of fire located on the east central portion of the complex 3:00 am. All East and West Divisions are accounted for 3:15 am. Fire now strong on the south central portion of the complex 3:25 am. Fire seems to be "deep seeded" now, FD making slow progress 3:35 am.

Lets all remember how freaking cold it is outside, my weather bug shows 2.6 degrees on the north end of town. What a night for a ridiculously huge fire.

If I’m not mistaken, its been 10 years or so since there’s been a full 4 alarm fire in Colorado Springs.

 

[firescannerbob]

Colorado Springs, since 0045hrs: 3770 E. Uintah St, S/F, larrge apt complex, w/approx 13 injuries. Every CSFD station has been rotated through the scene, w/many still o/s. Many CSFD tg's in use.
Fire involved 130 units w/500 persons displaced. 1 FF has sustained mnor injuries. Neighborng FD's also running calls in the city. Some parts of the complex still actively involved.

 

[firescannerbob]

Looking at the TV footage, appears this was very deeply seated in the complex. and there is not much left of it. Lots of companies running calls in the opposite parts of town they usually work in.
Building is the "Castle West Apartments" and this is being called a 5 alarm fire. I don't think CSFD has ever had a 5 alarmer, at least not in modern times.

 

[jimmnn]

COLORADO SPRINGS – A fire broke out shortly after 12:30 a.m. forcing the evacuation of multiple residents within an apartment complex.

Preliminary reports show that over 100 units on North Academy Blvd. were evacuated and residents went door-to-door to help notify neighbors of the situation.

At least 13 people have been taken to area hospitals with minor injuries, but all are expected to recover. Over 60 people were rescued from the fire by firefighters.

It is unclear how many people have been affected by the fire but the Red Cross has responded and will issue aide to those in need. Additionally, the Air Force Academy and Fort Carson Fire Department are both believed to have responded.

 

[jimmnn]

Fire crews are still battling an apartment fire that began very early this morning. The first crews responded to the Castle West Apartments at the intersection of Uintah and Academy at about 12:30 a.m. Firefighters say people were jumping from windows when they arrived. One-hundred firefighters are still on scene at this hour.

Fire crews from other cities are being put on standby to help Colorado Springs with any other fires that might break out. Fire officials say this is the worst fire the Colorado Springs Fire Department has ever had to cover. There is massive damage to the complex, and the building may be a total loss. The biggest difficulty is that the roof is caving in and burying the fire at this point, so it is too dangerous for firefighters to enter the building. This means they cannot be sure everyone is out of the complex.

So far, 13 residents and one firefighter have been sent to the hospital with minor injuries; however, investigators tell NEWSCHANNEL 13 that they have not yet accounted for all the residents. They say they hope those missing people left for the hospital before crews arrived on scene. The five-alarm fire has engulfed at least 130 units.

Academy Boulevard has been shut down between Galley and Palmer Park. Uintah is also closed between Potter Drive and Chelton, and neighborhood streets near the apartment complex (such as Delaware and Marion) are shut down. Colorado Springs Police are asking that you use Powers, Union, Circle, Murray, or any other possible road that will keep you away from that area as you drive to work this morning.

The Red Cross arrived within an hour of the initial fire reports. A shelter for the displaced families has been set up at Springs Life Church at 3704 East Uintah. McDonald's has provided food for the victims.

 

[RDCat]

wow

what a mess, especialy with frozen hydrant problems-among other things im sure that went down.........those pics are pretty good!

 

[KB9LMJ]

9news.com has a pretty good video clip from earlier this morning.
http://www.9news.com/video/player.aspx?aid=28343&bw=

KKTV.com is the station out of the springs that is streaming live video from the scene now.

Unreal...

 

[firescannerbob]

Lots of smoke still coming out of the scene, and the plume is visible from all over town (11:00am).
ATF on scene assisting CSFD and CSPD. Stratmoor Hills, Ft. Carson, Security, Cimarron Hills, Woodmen Valley and Manitou Springs FD's in CSFD stations taking calls.

 

[RFsponge]

KCNC Copter vid

Channel 4 flew over it about 6 this morning. Link to raw video:

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=26659@kcnc.dayport.com

Rob

 

[firescannerbob]

Raw video from KOAA, starting around 1am: http://www.koaa.com/news/view.asp?ID=6312

 

[KB9LMJ]

Better call Boots and Coots! This is the longest class A fire I've seen. :smlie:

I know...I shouldn't quarterback...sorry.

 

[firescannerbob]

Better call Boots and Coots! This is the longest class A fire I've seen. :smlie:

I know...I shouldn't quarterback...sorry.

So how is the view from the cheap seats?

 

[KB9LMJ]

LOL...ah come on! I'll give you that one, that was a good one! I know what it's like to be on a scene like that, I just have to get my jabs in where I can. You know if it was us, which it has been, someone would say the same.

 

[n0doz]

Gee, you fire dudes play rough!

 

[KB9LMJ]

You have yet to see how rough we can play.!

 

[firescannerbob]

Well, if you wanted to be funny, you could've done better. Boots n'Scoots doesn't do class A fires.
But when you're shooting from the cheap seats, why bother to have your facts straight?

 

[firescannerbob]

DenverPost.com
*BREAKING NEWS*

Two bodies were found in the rubble of an apartment fire in Colorado Springs that destroyed a 135-unit complex and injured 23.

The fire is believed to be arson, and a suspect has been arrested and is facing first-degree murder charges, according to investigators.

The Gazettes story is here: http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1328911

 

[firescannerbob]

Second arrest made

11 News has learned that another person is in custody in connection with the Castle West Fire, which was declared under control earlier today.

23-year old Derrick Nicholas Johnson was arrested by Colorado Springs police on Tuesday on a charge of felony menacing. On court documents obtained by 11 News, it says Derrick Johnson's arrest is related to the case of Gene Johnson, who is facing first degree murder charges in connection with the fire.

Colorado Springs Fire officials have declared the Castle West Fire under control. Crews have completed 100-percent of a primary search of the building and have NOT found any additional victims, but caution there may be more.Colorado Springs Fire officials have declared the Castle West Fire under control. Crews have completed 100-percent of a primary search of the building and have NOT found any additional victims, but caution there may be more. Crews still need to do a more detailed, secondary search.

The number of firefighters slightly injured has risen to 4.

Colorado Springs police arrested one person in connection to the Castle West fire, saying the blaze may have been set intentionally.

Investigators discovered two bodies inside the burned remains of the apartment complex.

36-year-old Colorado Springs resident Gene Johnson is under arrest and facing murder charges.

Authorities located the 1990, Gold Acura that was seen early Tuesday morning near the Castle West apartment complex. Police are calling the car a "vehicle of interest."

The investigation is ongoing, and police say more arrests could be made.

Recovery efforts continue as well, and officials say more bodies may be found.

If you have any information on this case police ask you to call the CrimeStoppers tip line at 634-STOP

 

[KB9LMJ]

Well, if you wanted to be funny, you could've done better. Boots n'Scoots doesn't do class A fires.
But when you're shooting from the cheap seats, why bother to have your facts straight?

Wow, sorry old timer, I know what Boots and Coots does and doesn't do. And this was before the fatals were announced. And yes. it was a cheap shot. But that's what we do! Make light of serious situations or they'll eat you up over time. Sorry you took it so personal.