3 Alarm Fire On Overland Drive

By Lindsay Watts

l.watts@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS-Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a three-alarm fire at the Ravencrest Condos, near I-25 and Woodmen, on Tuesday.The fire put four families out of their homes, and burned from 5:15 PM to almost 7. Everyone got out safely. Firefighters arrived on scene about two minutes after they were dispatched. There was some confusion, after fire crews were told they were going to a grassfire.

“Part of the problem we were met with is that we had to change [gear] midstream,” says CSFD Lt. JJ Halsey. “We arrived for a wildfire in our lighter gear.”

Many residents in the large complex gathered to watch as 60 firefighters put down the flames. At times, some were nervous for their own homes.

“When we were out here, I could feel the heat that was coming off of it,” says Brian Cochrane, who lives across the courtyard from the fire. “My mom was asking if we were in danger.”

The fire destroyed two homes, and two other units had heavy water and smoke damage. In the smoke-damages homes firefighters were able to save some personal belongings for residents. All the families are now being helped by the Red Cross.