Five houses were evacuated in an unincorporated area of Arapahoe County near Sheridan late Saturday after a fire broke out followed by several small explosions at a business that converts vegetable oil into diesel fuel, the Arapahoe County sheriff’s office said.
The fire near 4300 South Clay St., southeast of South Federal Boulevard and West Oxford Avenue, sent black plumes of smoke into a sunny sky that could be seen for miles at about 6 p.m.
No injuries were reported and the families, whose homes were to the west of the fire, were allowed back after fire investigators confirmed only property damage.
Authorities said they suspected a poor ventilation system at the closed business might have triggered the blaze, but the investigation is continuing.
David Migoya: 303-954-1506, dmigoya@denverpost.com or
