Sprinklers help Firefighters contain and extinguish a structure fire on Thunderbird Drive that displaces residents.

Residents Displaced from Structure Fire on Thunderbird Drive

BOULDER, Colo.A sprinkler system helped firefighters quickly extinguish a fire last night on Thunderbird Drive.

A few minutes after 5:30 p.m. on February 3, Boulder Fire-Rescue responded to multiple reports of an apartment fire on the 4900 block of Thunderbird Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters located the fire in a first-floor apartment. Because the sprinkler system was activated in that apartment, firefighters extinguished the fire quickly, and the fire remained contained to the single unit.

The resident of that unit has been displaced, as well as several other residents from nearby units whose apartments had smoke. All displaced residents found alternative housing either from the property management company or the Red Cross.

The initial investigation revealed no evidence of wrongdoing. Preliminary reports indicate the cause as possibly a front window heating and/or AC unit. The official cause will be available once the investigation is complete. If the investigation reveals any additional information, this press release will be updated.

Properly working smoke alarms in the units helped alert residents to call 911 and evacuate safely. Boulder Fire-Rescue would like to thank those residents who called 911 and began evacuating themselves from their apartments and Boulder Police, who arrived rapidly to assist in these evacuations and help ensure public safety. We want to remind community members to check their smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are working.

Boulder Fire-Rescue, Boulder Police and the City of Boulder would also like to thank AMR Ambulance and The American Red Cross for their help during this fire.