Closer look at Regency Tower fire damage provided Monday

KRDO NewsChannel 13 got the closest look yet at damage from the fire three weeks ago at the Regency Tower apartments in Colorado Springs.
On Monday, restoration leader Chris Weston allowed our crew to see some damage, showing us the charred 10th floor hallway close to where the fire started and how the fire burned other areas.

Weston said the south side of the building, on the upper two floors, sustained the heaviest damage and remains sealed off.

“We’ve got to remove asbestos from the ceiling, the walls and the floor,” he said. “Any personal possessions left up here are a total loss.”

Weston said water damage on the building’s south side spread all the way to the ground floor.

“But the north side of the building, on floors 1 through 9, are safe,” he said. “The just need a good cleaning.”

Repair and cleanup began in earnest Monday, and the first phase is expected to last two months.

Last week, residents were allowed to gather some or all of their possessions.

Some rooms are sealed with plastic and being ventilated.