by Eric Mullens
WALSENBURG — Huerfano Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a residential fire in the 400 block of E. Colorado Tuesday evening, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation this week.
Shortly after 5 pm March 29, 2016 a passerby notified the 911 center of the fire and first responders, Huerfano Ambulance Service and Walsenburg Police personnel arrived within minutes and reported smoke and fire visible. Heavy smoke and fire met firefighters when they arrived and an aggressive interior attack was initiated, according to fire captain Fred Partee. The fire was contained to the front three rooms of the home within 30 minutes. “Extensive heat and smoke damage was sustained to the rest of the home,” Partee said in a press statement Wednesday morning.
The residents were not at home at the time the fire ignited. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Red Cross was in contact with the residents to provide logistical assistance.
Four WPD units, two Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office units, two ambulances and 11 members of the HCFPD responded to the scene with three engines, one ladder truck and one command unit, according to Partee. In addition, La Veta Fire Protection District responded to the location with two fire engines, one command vehicle and seven personnel.
The residence is located just one block west on east Colorado from the site of an April 22, 2014 arson fire that injured a father and his young son at 520 Colorado. The investigation of the 2014 criminal fire has stalled and no arrests have ever made.
