Firefighters in Colorado Springs battled a large structure fire Saturday afternoon after a storage building filled with construction materials caught fire along Century Street, sending thick black smoke high above the east side of Interstate 25.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department was dispatched to the 3100 block of Century Street around 2:43 p.m., after an engine already operating nearby spotted a towering smoke plume and reported the blaze. Dispatchers logged approximately 58 calls from concerned residents and motorists who could see the smoke from surrounding areas.
The fire was centered inside a fenced storage facility containing styrofoam and other building materials, which fueled the intensity of the blaze and produced heavy, dark smoke. Firefighters initially faced access challenges due to perimeter fencing, complicating efforts to reach the seat of the fire.
Due to the scale of the incident and the resources required, crews called a second alarm to bring additional personnel and equipment to the scene. Firefighters were able to knock down the majority of the fire but temporarily paused operations to evaluate hotspots and ensure safety.
Heavy equipment was requested to assist with debris removal and to allow crews to fully extinguish remaining pockets of fire buried within the materials.
Hazardous materials teams were deployed to monitor air quality near the smoke column, given the nature of the burning materials. Firefighters also took precautionary measures to protect nearby waterways from potential runoff contamination.
Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among firefighters or civilians. Nearby buildings were not damaged by the fire or radiant heat, and crews successfully prevented the flames from spreading beyond the affected structure.
Video from the scene showed thick black smoke drifting across the area, prompting authorities to advise the public to stay clear while emergency crews completed suppression and cleanup operations.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed the fire was contained to the single structure. An investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.
Originally reported by Rounak Bagchi in Times Now News.
