DENVER—An internal investigation has found that members of the Arapahoe County sheriff’s bomb squad caused a 1,300-acre grass fire last month when they failed to follow proper safety procedures during a routine training exercise.
Sheriff Grayson Robinson says no criminal charges will be filed, but deputies involved in the training may face department penalties.
The fire began Feb. 20 on the north side of the 36000 block of East Quincy Avenue, where the bomb squad was detonating expired pepper-spray canisters.
High winds fanned the blaze, which was battled by seven fire departments and heavy-equipment crews from the county’s public works department.
One home was evacuated, but no injuries were reported. The fire was contained in about three hours.
Robinson said the sheriff’s office initiated the investigation to determine the fire’s origin and find out if safety protocols were followed.
The blaze originally was thought to be about 200 acres, but GPS technology used during the investigation showed that 1,313 acres had burned.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
