From Denver Post:
Keystone saw two arson fires set early this morning, causing $50,000 to $75,000 worth of damage to the Keystone Lodge & Spa, according to Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue.
Brandon Williams, a spokesman for the department, said the two fires were probably related.
"We're looking to the close proximity and time between the two," Williams said.
About 2 a.m., a smoke alarm went off at the Keystone Lodge & Spa at Keystone Resort, located in Summit County.
First-responders were directed to a linen closet on the second floor, where they found and quickly put out a small fire that appeared to have been deliberately set.
"Both the smoke alarm and the sprinkler head appeared to have been intentionally tampered with," a fire department news release said, adding that the smoke alarm that went off was down the hall from the closet.
While firefighters were cleaning up and investigating the first fire, smoke was spotted coming from the Lodge's storage shed across Highway 6 on the north side.
"There are clear indicators of forced entry at the storage shed," Williams said. "And a limited access key card was used."
No one was injured in either fire, and in both instances, the flames were contained to one room.
Keystone Lodge & Spa spokeswoman Katie Wohlschlaeger said 100 people were evacuated for about half an hour when the fire alarm went off, some of whom were guests.
Among guests this opening weekend in Keystone were participants in the annual Colorado State Emergency Medical Services Conference, many of them firefighters themselves.
Chief Dan Noonan of the Durango Fire Department was asleep in a room down the hall from the linen closet, the release said. He sprayed a hand-held extinguisher underneath the door before evacuating, which helped the Lake Dillon crew.
"The damage was minimal," Wohlschlaeger said. "Everything is running. This has not affected Keystone operations."
Williams said the number of arson cases in his jurisdiction are up more than average in the last several weeks, citing high-profile cases including incidents at China Gourmet Restaurant in Silverthorne and at Keller Williams Realty office in Frisco.
"It's not a pattern we're enjoying," Williams said. "We're very lucky no one was hurt."
No suspects or motives have been identified, and Williams said there are is no indication of involvement by the Earth Liberation Front, an ecoterrorism group known for arsons in the West including the destruction of the Two Elk Lodge and restaurant on top of Vail Mountain on Oct. 19, 1998.
"No matter what the reason is, we need to find and stop these arsonists," he said.
Investigators are gathering evidence at Keystone today and will review the two cases together.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Summit County Sheriff's Office at 970-453-2232.
Keystone saw two arson fires set early this morning, causing $50,000 to $75,000 worth of damage to the Keystone Lodge & Spa, according to Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue.
Brandon Williams, a spokesman for the department, said the two fires were probably related.
"We're looking to the close proximity and time between the two," Williams said.
About 2 a.m., a smoke alarm went off at the Keystone Lodge & Spa at Keystone Resort, located in Summit County.
First-responders were directed to a linen closet on the second floor, where they found and quickly put out a small fire that appeared to have been deliberately set.
"Both the smoke alarm and the sprinkler head appeared to have been intentionally tampered with," a fire department news release said, adding that the smoke alarm that went off was down the hall from the closet.
While firefighters were cleaning up and investigating the first fire, smoke was spotted coming from the Lodge's storage shed across Highway 6 on the north side.
"There are clear indicators of forced entry at the storage shed," Williams said. "And a limited access key card was used."
No one was injured in either fire, and in both instances, the flames were contained to one room.
Keystone Lodge & Spa spokeswoman Katie Wohlschlaeger said 100 people were evacuated for about half an hour when the fire alarm went off, some of whom were guests.
Among guests this opening weekend in Keystone were participants in the annual Colorado State Emergency Medical Services Conference, many of them firefighters themselves.
Chief Dan Noonan of the Durango Fire Department was asleep in a room down the hall from the linen closet, the release said. He sprayed a hand-held extinguisher underneath the door before evacuating, which helped the Lake Dillon crew.
"The damage was minimal," Wohlschlaeger said. "Everything is running. This has not affected Keystone operations."
Williams said the number of arson cases in his jurisdiction are up more than average in the last several weeks, citing high-profile cases including incidents at China Gourmet Restaurant in Silverthorne and at Keller Williams Realty office in Frisco.
"It's not a pattern we're enjoying," Williams said. "We're very lucky no one was hurt."
No suspects or motives have been identified, and Williams said there are is no indication of involvement by the Earth Liberation Front, an ecoterrorism group known for arsons in the West including the destruction of the Two Elk Lodge and restaurant on top of Vail Mountain on Oct. 19, 1998.
"No matter what the reason is, we need to find and stop these arsonists," he said.
Investigators are gathering evidence at Keystone today and will review the two cases together.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Summit County Sheriff's Office at 970-453-2232.
