Flames engulf Moffat

Courier photos by Keith R. Cerny A Moffat firefighter (above) observes the fire near the department’s main pumper just across the street from the fire station. Three homes, including one believed to be the first building ever built in the town, were destroyed along with numerous vehicles. While literally burning to the ground, this Toyota pickup (below) was like the little train engine that said it “thinks it can”, its headlights burning bright until the end.

MOFFAT– Fire of undetermined origin destroyed nearly a full city block here late Tuesday afternoon including three homes, one of which was said to be the first structure ever built in the town of less than 200 residents.

Multiple fire agencies from the northern stretches of the San Luis Valley responded to the blaze that broke out about 4:30 p.m. after Moffat firefighters literally ran out of water, according to Saguache County Sheriff Dan Warwick. There are no fire hydrants in the town about 40 miles north of Alamosa, and the closest water is several blocks away at the Moffat School and a fire well about two miles northeast of town.

Ironically, the fire broke out just across the street from the Moffat fire station.

Warwick said witnesses said a propane tank near one the destroyed structures may have exploded and ignited the conflagration that sent smoke soaring thousands of feet in the air, not to be outdone by the nearby Decker Fire south of Salida that has been burning for more than a month.

The sheriff said the fire is believed to have started near a property that served as a large home and the business known as Crystal Sticks (sic?). Located about a block east of Highway 17 and on the north end of Moffat, the fire quickly engulfed and destroyed a historic home on the northwest end of the block, leaving nothing but two brick chimneys standing.

Warwick said it is believed that all three homes destroyed were occupied. A bystander said once the second home caught fire it collapsed within 30 minutes.

The home that was believed to have been the first structure built in Moffat was also completely destroyed.

Numerous vehicles, some believed to be inoperable were also destroyed. One pickup near the south end of the fire burned nearly to the ground despite firefighters’ efforts to put it out, and its headlights burned brightly till the finish. Several explosions were heard during the firefight believed to be propane tanks and fuel tanks in vehicles.

Warwick said it was believed that two dogs may have been lost in the blaze, but it didn’t appear that any human life was lost, or injuries occurred.

When Moffat Fire Department members realized they were running out of water and were losing control, numerous other agencies were called in, Warwick said.

Among those assisting on scene were Saguache County Fire, Baca Grande, Center, Mosca-Hooper as well as two engines and crews from the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) based in Alamosa.


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