Crews Remove Smoldering Insulation From Springs Hotel Site

A rooftop lightbulb that came in contact with insulation caused a minor fire Friday at the new Mining Exchange Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs, firefighters said.

Fire department Lt. Jeff Sievers said crews arrived just before 8 a.m. after workers smelled smoke. He said crews found some smoldering insulation under the roof, and contained a 20-foot by 20-foot affected area.

“The insulation is about 3 feet deep,” said Sievers. “They have to get it out a bucketful at a time, in a 5-gallon bucket. It’s very labor-intensive, and only two people can get into the affected area at a time.”

Sievers said crews carefully scooped out the burning insulation to avoid damaging the entire roof and adding expense to the hotel renovation. The 50 hotel workers were temporarily evacuated, he said, and the 24 firefighters who responded left the scene at about 2:15 p.m.

The fire response required some lane closures on Nevada and Pikes Peak avenues.

The Mining Exchange Building opened in the early 1900s and is expected to reopen as a 117-room luxury hotel this spring.