Two homes were heavily damaged by fire late last night in Frederick.
The fire broke out about 11:50 p.m. at 4895 Wren Court, according to a Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District media release.
The fire investigators have determined the fire was accidentally caused by the improper disposal of fireworks in a trash container at 4895 Wren Court.
The blaze was first reported to a Firestone police officer who immediately evacuated several homes.
“It was hot. When I walked out the door, it took my breath away to start with, because it was so hot,” John Switzer, a neighbor, told The Denver Post. “I stepped out — that house was totally engulfed in flames, — you couldn’t even see the house for the fire.”
About 28 firefighters, including some from the Mountain View and Platteville-Gilcrest Fire departments, fought the blaze and had it under control in about 90 minutes.
No one was injured in the fire.
The American Red Cross is assisting the residents of the two homes that were damaged.
Recent dry conditions along the Front Range helped propel the fire from one home to the other, said Div. Chief Tim Zimmerman.
“People should keep an eye on dry conditions, dry grasses and shrubs,” Zimmerman said.
Neighbors had speculated that fireworks could have played a part.
“The streets are littered with fireworks,” Zimmerman said. “That combined with the fact that the plains out here are just as dry as the mountains … people need to do some of those same mitigation work to keep stuff away from their house.”
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
Denver Post staff videographer Steve Nehf contributed to this report.
