A large fire in a Stratmoor Valley mobile home park gutted one home and filled the neighborhood with smoke Wednesday morning.

Firefighters from Stratmoor Hills, Fort Carson and Colorado Springs were all on scene at 1225 Denise Drive in the mobile home park as they battled the blaze in frigid conditions. Crews had to be switched out to ensure the safety, and warmth of the firefighters.

The fire started about 9:34 a.m. and the home was fully engulfed six minutes later. Neighbors said the residents in the home – a man, woman and young child —  were outside, trying to put it out before firefighters arrived. But strong winds soon made the fire uncontrollable, said Casey Beckett, a neighbor.

“Yeah that thing went up quick when the wind blew through it,” he said.

The fire consumed the house and two propane tanks attached to a grill exploded about 20 to 30 minutes after it started Beckett said. The fire travelled to the garage and the roof collapsed.

The fire initially threatened other nearby homes, but firefighters were able to contain it. By 11 a.m. the majority of the fire was out, with the exception of a few hot spots on the roof.

Firefighters say everyone in the home was able to get out safely. They have not yet confirmed the names of the people who lived there.

According to records from the El Paso County Assessor’s Office, the home is owned by Dorothy and Bradley Taylor.

The fire is still being investigated and firefighters have not yet determined what caused it or estimated the cost of the damage.

Firefighters battle a blaze Wednesday at a home on Denise Drive in the Stratmoor Valley area. Firefighters from Stratmoor Hills, Colorado Springs and Fort Carson responded to the fire that destroyed the home. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Christian murdock