Red Cross shelter opens for FirTree Apartments fire victims

FRIDAY 8/30/2024 9:43 p.m.

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming announced on Friday, Aug. 30 it has opened a shelter for any individuals impacted by the fire at FirTree Apartments.

The Red Cross shelter is located at Woodman Valley Chapel, at 290 E. Woodmen Road.

ORIGINAL TITLE: 64 people displaced after apartment complex fire

FRIDAY 8/30/2024 2:27 p.m.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) said a morning fire at an apartment complex near Palmer Park has rendered over two dozen apartments uninhabitable.

According to CSFD, on Friday, Aug. 30 a little after 6 a.m. fire crews were called to a possible structure fire at the FirTree Apartments on Radiant Drive near North Academy Boulevard and Maizeland Road. While en route fire crews saw smoke in the air, and upon arrival, crews reported heavy fire coming from a second-floor window.

CSFD said due to the size of the building, the number of people needing to evacuate the building, and the fire behavior, a second alarm was called. A CSFD Drone Infrared also showed the fire extending into the attic.

About 15 minutes later a third alarm was called for more resources. CSFD said multiple alarms can be called to get resources on the scene should the fire extend and overwhelm on-scene crews. The bulk of the fire had been knocked down but there was a large amount of work to do, including uncovering hidden fire, determining if the building was safe, rehab firefighters for safety, assisting displaced people in getting personal items, working with fire investigators, and more, according to CSFD.

CSFD called the fire under control a little after 7 a.m. 32 apartments were impacted by the fire and are considered uninhabitable, 64 people were displaced, five people were treated and released on the scene for smoke inhalation and one person was taken to the hospital for serious injuries as a result of the fire.

CSFD said 60 personnel responded to the scene and fire investigators are working to figure out the origin and cause of the fire.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.