February fires keep Brighton firefighters busy

BRIGHTON--In the last week and a half Brighton Firefighters have battled three separate building fires. The first, occurring on February 2nd at 1:37 pm was a barn fire in the 16000 block of Harvest Mile Road. Due to high winds, the fire extended beyond the building of origin to a nearby shed and three vehicles. However, no living units were damaged in the fire, and the family was not removed from their home. Brighton Fire was assisted by Hudson Fire in extinguishing this fire.

On February 6th at 6:52 pm, crews responded to a structure fire in the 25000 block of E 152nd Avenue. When crews arrived, the home was fully involved with heavy fire in the attic of the home. Crews were able to extinguish the fire with minimal fire damage to the home. The majority of the fire damage was contained to the roof and attic area. The 2nd floor of the home sustained some smoke and water damage, but the home was not a total loss and the family will be able to repair it and eventually move back in. Brighton firefighters were assisted by both Thornton Fire and Hudson Fire in extinguishing this fire. During operations, North Metro Fire Department covered Brighton Fire District. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

On February 7th at 1:09 am crews responded to a report of a trailer at 3060 E Bridge Street. This trailer home fire was contained to the trailer of origin. However, approximately 1/3 of the home was damaged due to fire, and due to the size of the home, the family will not be able to return to the home. Nobody was home at the time of this fire, but the residents were eventually located and determined to be fine. During the fire, Fort Lupton Fire assisted by covering Brighton’s Fire district. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

Though some animals were lost in these fires, no residents were harmed. Two firefighters were injured during the fire on February 6th, but they were treated and released with no lasting injuries.

According to information from the National Fire Protection Association and the United States Fire Administration, residential building fires are collectively highest in the three winter months of January, February and March. It is important to take measures to protect your family from fire. If you are using a space heater anywhere in your home be sure it is three feet or more from anything flammable. Do not place the heater on anything flammable either, such as a chair or mattress. Be sure that you turn the heater off when you leave the room. Have your furnace checked each winter prior to use. If you haven’t already done that this year, its not too late. Also, make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home. A working smoke detector increases a family’s survival in a fire by at least 50%. For more winter safety tips visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter.shtm