Two 18-year-old men have been arrested on suspicion on Wednesday by lighting fireworks along U.S. 285 during a fire ban.
Andrew Askins and Riley Costello were booked into the county jail Thursday for investigation of second-degree arson in connection with the North Turkey Creek fire.
The blaze, west of Indian Hills, spread to seven acres and burned an outbuilding, a storage unit and two vehicles. Six fire agencies with 15 fire trucks and 34 firefighters worked for hours to keep the fire from engulfing five homes.
Pictures from our crew on scene at the fire on US 285. Both directions remain closed at North Turkey Creek due to fire.
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT)
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says eight homes and several businesses were evacuated and 11 animals were rescued. The wildfire also forced the diversion of 60 school children whose bus routes home were closed.
“A lot of resources were required to contain a wildland fire started by fireworks during a fire ban,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Thankfully, no one was injured and no homes were lost, but this is an opportunity to remind people of the dangers of ignoring fire ban restrictions that are issued to protect our residents and their property.”