2 house fire destroys Douglas County homes, residents briefly evacuated

DENVER (KDVR) — A two-alarm fire threatened multiple homes and caused residents to evacuate from Woodrose Lane in Douglas County during a slew of Red Flag warnings.

The area is part of unincorporated Douglas County and is a residential area. South Metro Fire Rescue reported two houses were actively on fire as of about 2:45 p.m., and the fire was spreading to trees in the backyard.

As of about 3:15 p.m., crews had the fire under control. There were still firefighters extinguishing hot spots in both houses as of 4 p.m. South Metro Fire Rescue reported that occupants of both homes had evacuated safely, along with three dogs and a cat.

However, two residents and two firefighters were checked by fire medics on scene, and one firefighter was transported as a precaution due to the heat. Investigators were on scene as of about 4 p.m. to determine the fire’s cause, but initial reports said the fire began outside between two homes and then spread inside.

The agency also said that neighbors may have heard popping noises from the fire, but these were coming from an electrical breaker box on the side of the home. However, the homeowner did warn fire crews that there was ammunition in the home .

Residents were evacuating their homes as a third home was threatened by the blaze. The area is near Plum Valley Park and the Coyote Creek Elementary School, which are adjacent to the Plum Valley Trail.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office asked individuals to avoid the area and watch out for responding personnel.

A Red Flag warning is in effect for the area until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service Boulder. These warnings inform residents that conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread, due to windy conditions and low relative humidity.

FOX31’s Pinpoint Weather Team issued a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day for Thursday due to the high fire danger.

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