DENVER (KDVR) — Vacant buildings are not only eyesores, but the Denver Fire Department is warning that they can also be dangerous.
The agency said that when the temperature drops, people out in the elements will seek shelter trying to stay warm. Due to the fire risk, firefighters are asking homeowners to keep a close eye on the dozens of properties that have been left empty.
According to the city and county of Denver’s Neglected and Derelict Building List, there are 207 empty buildings. Denver Fire Department told FOX31 it’s a safety hazard.
“It was called in by a neighbor or someone living close to the vacant property,” said Captain Luis Cedillo with Denver Fire. He is referring to a vacant building fire where crews had to put out the blaze on Kalamath Street. Cedillo said it started from squatters starting a fire inside.
“Even though they are protected from the rain or from the snow they are still going to be cold inside,” said Cedillo. “So, typically they will light up a fire. An open flame inside the structure so that they can stay warm.”
With no one living inside, it can take time before 911 is called — allowing the fire to spread. Cedillo said that in his 13-year career with the department he has seen his fair share of vacant property fires.
“There have been injuries and more than likely the injuries occur within that structure. On occasion, the damage can extend to neighboring homes. So, the idea that it’s going to be confined to that structure is not always right. It can, but it also can depending on the size of the fire it can damage additional homes,” said Cedillo. “Neighbors may not have thought it was going to affect them and now their side of the house is burned.”
Cedillo said some of the biggest challenges crews face when responding is time, stability and access.
“So for us to make entry it really makes us work twice as hard to make entry to the building that have been secured by the owner,” said Cedillo.
That’s why local fire departments are sending out a warning for Colorado residents to stay alert this winter season. They’re asking residents to keep their eyes open for anything unusual inside of abandoned homes.
“It’s a community effort. The most important thing is to be aware. No matter where you live we all know our neighbors and we know the foot traffic around our area that we live in,” said Cedillo. “Be aware that if you see broken windows or doors that are supposed to be closed are now opened — that’s a problem. By notifying 911 and calling saying there’s some suspicious activity happening, we can prevent a vacant structure fire from happening down the road. That’s what’s going to eventually occur.”
Fire officials did not have an exact number of how many vacant property fires they have responded to this year, but they say calls have increased in the last three months.
