Colorado Springs contractor ‘cooperating’ after welding accident sparked fire
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- A Colorado Springs general contractor is responding to 13 Investigates after a 17-acre grass fire caused by a welding accident prompted mass evacuations last week.
Sharp General Contractors says it is cooperating with law enforcement agencies that are investigating the Silver Charm Fire near the Farm subdivision off Interquest Parkway.
13 Investigates reached out to Darren Sharp, the company founder, multiple times by phone and in person, asking for clarification about what happened on Friday afternoon.
KRDO also attempted to reach Dave Rojewski, who is listed as a contractor for the property on the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department database.
Neither Sharp nor Rojewski replied until after a story aired on Monday evening.
Following our story Monday night, the company issued this statement:
"Sharp General Contractors, Inc. is committed to cooperating with law enforcement agencies investigating the fire that occurred on April 22nd. Until such time as we have more information, we are unable to comment further on the matter. The quick actions of the firefighters and residents should be commended."
According to the Colorado Springs Fire Department, the company responsible for the welding accident has been issued a court summons.
It is unclear if Sharp General Contractors has been issued the summons directly, or if the company had subcontractors working on the property at the time the fire started.
"The official cause is illegal hot work during the burn restriction, which ultimately, they were welding up there. They didn't have the safety precautions in place," Colorado Springs Fire Captain Mike Smaldino said.
Getting the proper permits to do hot work during a burn restriction requires a person to come to the fire department and file paperwork, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Fire officials say the permit does not cost contractors money.
"They come right here to our headquarters and they get a permit, and it's issued to them," Captain Mike Smaldino with CSFD said. "We're able to talk to them really quick about basic safeties especially on high fire danger days like we did have that day."
