Family of firefighters loses their home in Aspen Acres Fire
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A family of firefighters lost their home in Beulah in the Aspen Acres Fire.
For the Griggs family, firefighting is part of their livelihood. Nicole Griggs and her father-in-law, Bob Griggs, are both retired firefighters.
In the midst of devastation, Nicole's husband, along with their son, stayed behind to battle the fires with the Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District, the town's volunteer fire department.
Nicole talked about what it was like evacuating without her entire family by her side.
“As I pull out, I literally look at my rearview mirror and see my husband waving, and that was really, really difficult,” Nicole said.
→ Find the latest Aspen Acres fire information and evacuation links here
Nicole said that about four hours after leaving their property to evacuate on Monday, June 29, her husband informed her that their home was gone.
Nicole said they aren’t the only family of firefighters suffering the loss of the Aspen Acres Fire.
“So many of my friends are on the department as well, and they’ve also lost their homes," Nicole said. "And it’s a volunteer fire department, so all these men and women who are out trying to save homes while theirs has already been burned down. That’s heroic, and I feel forever grateful.”
Beulah has been the longtime home of the Griggs family.
“I’ve lived out there 21 years, and my husband grew up out there, and I haven’t ever seen anything this bad," Nicole said.
Nicole and Bob tell KRDO13, though they don’t know how long it will take, they plan to rebuild their home on their property, which has been in their family for over 100 years.
Even through the devastation, Bob said he still has a special appreciation for those working hard to battle the flames.
“You gotta hand it to the firefighters on the line," Bob said. "They start early in the morning, and they don’t quit until it’s too late to see.”
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