Lakewood – Bear Creek High School will be closed to staff and students today while crews clean up classrooms that were damaged by a fire Saturday night.
A fire alarm alerted authorities to the blaze shortly after 11 p.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found a hallway filling with smoke and they called for more crews when the smoke became thicker and heavier, said Cindy Matthews, spokeswoman for West Metro Fire.
About 45 minutes into the blaze, firefighters were able to put it out.
The arts and ceramics room and a kiln burned, along with an adjoining classroom, Matthews said.
There was also water and smoke damage in other areas of the school, which is why authorities decided to close today, said Lynn Setzer, spokeswoman for Jefferson County Public Schools.
“Because there was a lot of smoke, it just smells bad, and there is soot in some of the classrooms as well,” Setzer said. “We just wanted to give the cleanup crew plenty of time to get it ready for the kids and staff.”
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
“The fire does not appear to be suspicious but remains under investigation,” Matthews said. “There is no indication that leads us to believe it was set intentionally.”
District officials are expected to decide today how long the school will remain closed.
BEAR CREEK CANYON
Driver hospitalized after leaving road
A drunken-driving suspect drove off Colorado 74 and landed in an embankment Sunday morning, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The man managed to climb up the embankment and onto the road, according to 9News.
The man was taken to Swedish Medical Center for treatment, said Master Trooper Ron Watkins.
The incident happened about 6:13 a.m. near Morrison.
The driver’s name was not available.
DENVER
Bee winner had to out-spell his brothers
A Highlands Ranch family dominated the state’s 67th annual state spelling bee.
Jake Smith, 12, a seventh- grader, won on Saturday, spelling “ultimogeniture,” which means an inheritance by the youngest son of a family.
His elder brother, Zack, 14, finished fifth, and his younger brother, Alec, 10, took fourth.
The state winner moves on to the national competition. The contest is sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Co., owner of the Rocky Mountain News.
DENVER
Area reservoirs open for boating
Cherry Creek and Chatfield state parks are open for boating now that the lakes are free of ice.
All boaters are reminded to use caution when venturing out on the lake early in the season because of cold water temperatures.
Rangers recommend boaters wear life jackets.
Boats are required to have a valid registration and the required safety equipment on board. A state parks pass is also required.
For more information, go to parks.state.co.us.
In Ouray, the Ouray Ice Park, used by ice and rock climbers, is closing March 26 because of spring melting conditions, park officials announced Sunday.
WESTMINSTER
Suspect flees police, puts gun to head
A man wanted on domestic- violence allegations was arrested Saturday night after leading officers on a car chase and putting a gun to his own head, according to Westminster police.
Ruben Castro, 37, was booked into Jefferson County jail on suspicion of kidnapping, second- degree assault, menacing and eluding police.
About 9:50 p.m., police say, they spotted Castro in a white Pontiac Grand Am in the 8600 block of Zuni Street and tried to pull him over.
A chase began south on Federal Boulevard and ended at West 74th Avenue and Eliot Street when one of the officers used a police maneuver to stop the Grand Am.
Castro then placed a gun to his head, police said.
Almost three hours later, Castro surrendered without incident, police said.
PALISADE
Firefighters burned in training exercise
A fire-training exercise that got out of control resulted in injuries to two Palisade volunteer firefighters, JR Korver and Clint Swain.
Fire Chief Richard Rupp said the two men suffered burns and dehydration and were treated at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction on Saturday.
He said the injuries resulted from overwork and trainers’ not getting to them quickly enough to make sure they were getting enough water.
“Firefighters are real macho and don’t want to say, ‘I’m in trouble,”‘ Rupp said.
