Members of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s bomb squad caused a 1,313-acre grass fire Feb. 20 when they failed to follow proper safety procedures during a routine training exercise in which expired pepper-spray canisters were detonated, an internal investigation has concluded.
Although information about the fire was presented to the Arapahoe County district attorney, no criminal charges will be filed in the case, said Sheriff Grayson Robinson. Deputies involved in the training may face department penalties.
The fire began about 3 p.m. Feb. 20 on the north side of the 36000 block of East Quincy Avenue, where the bomb squad was conducting routine training exercises.
High winds spread the fire rapidly. The blaze was battled by seven fire departments and heavy-equipment crews from Arapahoe County Public Works.
One home in the area was evacuated. No one was injured. The fire was contained in about three hours.
Robinson said the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office initiated the internal affairs investigation to determine the fire’s origin and whether safety protocols were followed.
The blaze was initially believed to be about 200 acres, but the investigation, which included analysis using GPS technology, concluded that 1,313 acres had been charred.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
