News Flash

Structure Fire at 27735 Whitecotton Lane - July 14, 2017

Alarm Type: Structure Fire
Alarm Time: 1305
Units Arrival Time: 1322
Fire Out: 1522
In Service: 1940

Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) was dispatched by the Routt County Communication Center (RCCC) to 27735 Whitecotton Lane for a structure fire. Multiple neighbors called in to state that the deck and the roof of the residence were on fire. Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue initial response included the 9 on duty personnel staffing Engine 61, Ambulance 6-3, Ambulance 6-4 and Water Tender 6-1. 5 off Duty Personnel responded staffing Water Tender 6-4, Truck 6-2, and staff vehicle 6-4 hauling the county air trailer. Due to the distance from any readily available water source Chief Cerasoli called for mutual aid in providing water tenders from Oak Creek Fire Protection District (OCFPD), West Routt Fire Protection District (WRFPD) and North Routt Fire Protection District. OCFPD and WRFPD also provided 2 Structural Fire Engines along with personnel to help with fighting the fire. Water supply was augmented through the help of Ed’s Excavating who volunteered 2 additional Water trucks and manned their nearby water fill station to resupply the 4 water tenders and their private water trucks.

Upon arrival on scene Chief Cerasoli indicated that the residence was a fully involved structure, the residents were not in the structure, and initial operations would be defensive to knock the down the 30 foot flames and keep them from involving the entire hillside. Defensive attack was made with a 2 ½” hose line and a 3” hose line providing a combined 750 gallons of water per minute. Once enough water tenders and private water trucks were on scene to provide a continuous water supply Incident commander Cerasoli directed additional water lines to be applied from Truck 6-2 and WRFPD engine. While crews were fighting the fire Ambulance 6-4 took care of one the residents who had health issues in addition to providing rehab for fire fighters who working in high heat conditions.

Once the majority of the actively burning structure was put out crews were able to venture interior to the structure to extinguish any remaining heat sources and salvage a few of the personal belongings of the residents. The residence valued around $650,000 is considered a total loss and the official cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Concurrent to this structure fire which necessitated county wide response, Fire Chief Mel Stewart and 2 additional off-duty personnel responded to 2 motor vehicle accidents and 2 medical calls in Steamboat Springs.

For further questions please contact Deputy Chief Chuck Cerasoli at 970-846-5974. Some images attached to this press release. For further images please visit Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue on Facebook. Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue would like to thank Ed’s Excavating for their assistance in supplying water for the fire and the neighboring fire districts that assisted in extinguishing the structure fire at 27735 Whitecotton Lane.

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