Cig In A Planter Blamed For Colorado Springs Fire: CSFD

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- A cigarette thrown in a planter was determined to be the cause of the fast-moving destructive blaze that burned 20 townhouses on Charleston Drive in southeastern Colorado Springs Monday, the fire department said. More than 60 firefighters fought the three-alarm fire all afternoon, with high winds causing the fire to spread rapidly.

"Someone in the area -- I'm not sure if it was a resident at this point, but someone put a cigarette in a planter. ... So, that person put a cigarette in the planter; it grew from there. It burned material next to it, got into a fence and when the flame got big enough, it impends upon a gas meter. And the condo at the gas meter failed, and then at that point, we had gas free-flowing into the flames, which made it an exceedingly hostile fire," said Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesperson Brian Vaughn.

The fire was first reported at 3:30 p.m., and residents pounded on doors to warn other neighbors, which helped reduce injuries, Vaughn said. Three people were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation, but non-threatening injuries.

"We had no trapped parties that I’m aware of at this point," Vaughn said. "I think the time of day plays a huge factor in that. If that fire was at three-in-the-morning, things could be a lot different."

Vaughn said several pets had been rescued, but some were still missing.

"We have returned, I know, a lizard, a terrerium, one cat and one dog that I know of," Vaughn said. "One of the things we do at fire scenes to save the animals' lives are to open the doors after the fire is out because animals are very smart, they'll seek shelter in places that -- we have to reason. They don't reason, they just do it instinctually. We're hoping those animals will be found, if not in the structures, out and about in the neighborhoods."

Around 70 displaced residents ended up a couple blocks away at First Pentecostal Church on Monica Street West.

"The Red Cross opened the church as a shelter and quickly began bring in cots and blankets," Colorado Red Cross posted. Salvation Army brought in dinner for the crowd and the local Papa Johns donated more than a dozen pizzas. Fire crews from Colorado Springs Fire Department were also fed at the church, the Red Cross spokesperson wrote.

#redcross with @csfdpio and @salvationarmy taking care of families displaced by fire at apts on Charleston St in #cospring. 70 people have checked in at evac center at 1st Pentacostal Church on Monica St West. #EndHomeFires pic.twitter.com/wuGUlBZF3u
— CO & WY Red Cross (@COWYRedCross) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/COWYRedCro... 27, 2018

Images: Colorado Springs Fire Department