Federal Team Now Investigating Massive Glendale Fire
GLENDALE, Colo. (CBS4) - A federal team that will look into a massive fire in Glendale on Saturday night is now on the scene.
The three alarm fire broke out in a building under construction near South Cherry Street and Kentucky Avenue. The federal team with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is trying to figure out what sparked the blaze.
It could be weeks before the cause is known. The federal team was brought in based on how large the fire was and the damage it did. The team also is bringing in resources that local agencies don't have access to in what's being considered a laborious investigation.
Sifting through 100,000 acres of rubble is the first step for the team that was activated within 24 hours of the fire. The team is comprised of 13 to 18 people from chemists to fire protection engineers.
"The goal of this whole investigation is to determine the origin and cause of the fire," Bradley Beyersdorf with the ATF said.
The ATF says if they determine this fire is arson then a criminal investigation will also begin. Right now the boots on the ground will begin their work by surveying the scene and accessing what they need to do the job ahead.
"To see what they have to work with and what kind of equipment they need to bring in. They are ordering heavy equipment to come in and move the heavy debris," Beyersdorf said.
The developer of the apartment building, MKS Residential, says they'll move forward with the construction of the 341-unit building after the property is released back to them by investigators. Solana Cherry Creek will be a four-story apartment that sits on 5.3 acres.
