A fire in Golden that destroyed one house and damaged another was likely sparked by “discarded smoking material” in a sofa, investigators said.
The fire broke out at about 9:20 p.m. Wednesday at 15804 W. 2nd Ave., according to the Golden Fire Department.
“It is determined the fire started in the carport area located in the southeast corner of the property,” the fire department said in a media release, in a sofa sleeper located there.
An electrical outlet that had several appliances plugged into it was identified as another possible source of the fire. Faulty electrical wiring, an overloaded circuit or faulty plugs are possible factors in the outlet scenario.
“There is no evidence to indicate this was an intentional act,” the fire department said. “The fire is considered accidental in nature.”
No one was injured.
The fire spread rapidly from the carport to the home when 15 to 20 oxygen cylinders, stored in the carport, heated, ruptured and exploded. Numerous cylinder fragments were found throughout the property and on the street.
The fire also destroyed a pickup truck and a camping trailer. Damage to both homes, vehicles, a storage shed, fences and other property exceeds $500,000, the release said.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
