2-alarm fire in Colorado Springs caused by careless smoking
Careless smoking caused a fire Monday morning on Boulder Street that left six people and a cat looking for a place to stay, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
No one was injured in the two-alarm blaze and the American Red Cross was called to the multi-family dwelling at 633 E. Boulder St. to help those in need of housing, Red Cross spokesman Bill Fortune said.
The fire, which sparked in an exterior wall of the residence close to a bay window, was reported at 4:20 a.m. when a neighbor woke up to the smell of smoke and rushed to alert the property’s residents.
According to fire officials, 10 engines and about 40 firefighters responded and had the fire under control about 5:10 a.m.
Betty Collins and her 11-year-old daughter had been living at the home for only about six weeks after relocating from Kentucky. She credited the firefighters with helping her salvage items from her daughter’s bedroom, which sustained fire and smoke damage.
“The firefighters were awesome, we owe them a lot,” Collins said. “Everything else can be replaced and everyone is safe.”
The Red Cross helped residents find lodging at a nearby hotel for three days while they make other housing arrangements.
Tenants of a house that burned early Monday morning, meet with their landlord, Doug Bruce. The two-alarm fire at 633 E. Boulder St. displace five adults, one child and a cat on Monday, July 7, 2014.
Fire damage to a home at 633 E. Boulder St. in Colorado Springs. Photo via CSFD PIO @CSFDPIO
Fire damage to a home at 633 E. Boulder St. in Colorado Springs. Photo via CSFD PIO @CSFDPIO
Fire damage to a home at 633 E. Boulder St. in Colorado Springs. Photo via CSFD PIO @CSFDPIO
Fire damage to a home at 633 E. Boulder St. in Colorado Springs. Photo via CSFD PIO @CSFDPIO
A two-alarm fire at a home split into apartments has displaced five adults and one child. Resident Betty Collins carries out her belongs from the house at 633 E. Boulder St. on Monday, July 7, 2014. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)
The outside of a second floor apartment floor is charred after an early morning fire at a house at 633 E. Boulder St. Five adults, a child and a cat are displaced by the fire. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)