Squatters May Have Caused Warehouse Fire

Firefighters said Saturday that a warehouse fire near America the Beautiful Park was likely caused by vagrants camping in the building.

The fire destroyed the abandoned building on South Sierra Madre Street just after 7 p.m. Friday.

“Our theory right now is they had a warming fire or cooking fire that got out of control,” said Colorado Springs Fire Cpt. Ray Johnson.

He said firefighters found evidence people had been staying in the building.

Rick Vokt, owner of nearby business, The Piano Warehouse, said he’s not surprised by what happened.

“I knew it was probably someone camping out with a little bonfire,” said Vokt. “A lot of people kind of camp out along this street.”

He said he’s seen people start bonfires near the building in the past.

Antonio Arbogast, who is homeless himself, said he’s heard of people camping in the warehouse.

“I was talking to a couple of my friends and found out there were people coming here when it was snowing this winter and I guess the last couple of winters,” said Arbogast.

He said that he never trespasses in abandoned buildings, but understands what it’s like to be out in the cold with nowhere to go.

“Some nights at the shelter, they can’t get everybody in,” he said.

There are winter warming shelters available for the homeless, but only when the temperature falls below 32 degrees.

Firefighters said they want to urge property owners to secure vacant buildings and check in on them to make sure no one is staying there.