This device can make your house smell like there’s a fire

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Arvada residents reported smelling smoke inside their homes, but it was later discovered the source of the smell was coming from a device.

Arvada Fire said crews responded to several 911 calls on Tuesday night with residents reporting the smell of smoke. After investigation, crews determined that the smell of smoke was coming from a fire, however, the fire was nowhere near the house.

Crews found that a swamp cooler was making a house smell like smoke, due to the Goltra Fire burning west of Golden in Clear Creek Canyon. The cooling device draws in outdoor air and cools it through water to make homes cooler.

“If the air outside is smokey, swamp coolers may circulate that smell inside,” said Arvada Fire in a Facebook post.

While the smell of smoke came from the swamp cooler, Arvada Fire said the homeowners still did the right thing by calling 911.

“If you smell smoke inside, the right step is always to call 911 and evacuate. However, if you smell smoke outside, this is likely coming from the Goltra Fire,” said Arvada Fire.

Arvada Fire said that smoke will likely be visible from the district, but there’s no threat in the area.

The fire west of Golden was discovered on Tuesday afternoon. Fire crews were called to a brush fire burning along U.S. 6 near tunnel 1 in Clear Creek Canyon. Authorities later determined the fire was likely caused by a lightning strike. As of Wednesday morning, the fire has grown to 200 acres.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.