July 17, 2018
Structure Fire at Bear Claw II-2420 Ski Trail Lane, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Alarm Type: Structure Fire
Alarm Time: 23:44:14
First Unit Arrival Time: 23:54:12
Fire Out: 00:08:34
Units in Service: 02:42:33
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) was dispatched by Routt County Communication (RCC) to 2420 Ski Trail Lane, Bear Claw II Condominiums (Bear Claw II), for the report of a structure fire. SSFR responded with the on-duty crew of eight, staffing one fire engine and two on-duty ambulances. The Deputy Fire Chief, responding from home, brought the ladder truck.
Immediately after the arrival of the first apparatus to the structure fire, SSFR was dispatched to Blue Sage Drive for an ambulance request for an individual who fell down the stairs and sustained injuries. West Routt Fire Protection District was paged to assist and to respond to the second call for service. The Blue Sage Drive call was eventually handled by two additional SSFR personnel responding from home.
The structure fire was initially reported as a dryer fire that started on the 5th floor of the Bear Claw II which is a six-story building housing approximately 65 units of varying sizes and is 56,000-square-feet. Reporting parties inside the unit stated that flames were shooting out of the dryer and that the fire was going up the stairs to the upper level unit.
As firefighters arrived on scene, a large diameter hose line was pulled up the interior stairwell to the 5th floor which acted as a supply line. Upon quickly accessing the unit, firefighters experienced heavy hallway smoke and flames coming from the fire unit into the hallway. Firefighters entered the condo and applied water, extinguishing the majority of the fire.
SSFR then began to look for extension of the fire into the unit walls and ceilings as well as the surrounding units. Smoke filled the 5th floor hallway and flowed to the 4th and 6th floors. Fans were used to assist with smoke removal. After initial knockdown and fan placement, SSFR personnel were required to change out oxygen bottles, and be cleared medically to re-enter the firefight.
All occupants of the building, approximately 25-30 people, were evacuated with the assistance of Steamboat Springs Police. Occupants were temporarily displaced while Bear Claw management worked to find alternative locations for those effected by the fire.
The fire is currently under investigation. SSFR would like to thank West Routt Fire Protection District, Routt County Communications and Steamboat Springs Police for their assistance.
Contact
Chuck Cerasoli, Deputy Fire Chief, 970.879.7170 or email