A fire Monday on a Commerce City farm near Interstate 76 and Sable Boulevard was started by improperly stored hay and compost, according to authorities.
The fire started in a large stack of hay that sat on some compost in a building on the south side of the property, according to Kevin Vincel, deputy fire marshal with South Adams County Fire.
The large stack of hay created internal heat in the underlying compost and ignited the hay.
Crews will work around smoldering hot spots today as they continue to monitor the site. The different fuels that burned in the fire — wood, fuel and other materials — could cause the area to smolder for days.
Officials determined that a family of four lived on the farm and were on the property when the fire started. The initial reports were that the property was vacant.
No people or animals were injured in the fire. Crews removed several goats, horses and dogs from the area.
Crews were able to save the family’s home, but seven other structures were destroyed as well as several above-ground fuel and propane tanks. While the tanks added to the intensity of the fire, they had nothing to do with the cause of the blaze, Vincel said.
The fire was reported at 4:51 p.m. Monday. Witnesses reported heavy, black smoke and explosions after the fuel tanks caught fire.
I-76 was temporarily shut down from Sable to U.S. 85.
