Chapel Hills Mall reopened after fire at Dick’s Sporting Goods, store remains closed

UPDATE: As of 6:10 p.m., the mall had reopened, besides Dick's Sporting Goods.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) said the Chapel Hills Mall was evacuated for a fire.

Officials were dispatched to a fire reported at the Dick's Sporting Goods at 1710 Briargate Blvd around 3:30 p.m. No injuries were reported.

CSFD said firefighters located a fire in the trash compactor at Dick's Sporting Goods. Crews were working to get the blaze under control.

Fire officials told KRDO13 they would be pulling the trash compactor outside but were unsuccesful due to the compactor wheels getting stuck. They are working with Waste Management and a towing company to assist with the removal.

CSPD said there is cardboard in the compactor obstructing them getting to the source of the fire.

“It essentially makes it easier for us to remove it from the store, and then do what we call overhaul, which means that we’re just going to take everything apart and look for any areas of fire," said Ashley Franco, Colorado Springs Fire Department public information officer. "Additionally, that’s going to help us ventilate the store, so that we can get some more air flowing throughout the store and get some of that smoke out of there.” 

KRDO13 learned a hazmat crew was at the mall to do air quality testing to determine if the other stores could reopen. Dick's Sporting Goods will not reopen today due to smoke damage, according to officials.

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