TheDenverChannel.com








Denver News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Fire Burns Underground At Water Facility

Firefighters On Surface, Underground Trying To Bring Flames Under Control

POSTED: 3:47 pm MDT September 14, 2009
UPDATED: 4:54 pm MDT September 14, 2009

Welders working underground at a Denver Water reservoir and pump station facility started a fire Monday afternoon that burned through 150 feet of an underground pipeline.

The fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. when a group of four welders were using welding torches to cut holes into a five-foot underground pipe.

The welders got out safely.

Dozens of firefighters, who fought the flames from the surface and from underground, extinguished the fire by 4 p.m. An expert team of three firefighters were lowered 15 feet under the ground to fight the flames up close. They were attached to a lifeline, which helped them get out because they could not see anything underground. The lifeline also provided extra oxygen in case their tanks ran out.

"These (fires) are extremely difficult to fight. These are the ones that really are a firefighter's nightmare because just like a basement fire, for example, it's very limited to get out of those basement fires. You can only imagine. Here -- there's zero visibility and you're going to have to find the access point to get out and they're very limited," said Denver Fire spokesman Phil Champagne.

The fire was burning at the Denver water facility at East 56th Avenue and Quebec in Denver. The underground reservoir had been drained prior to the welding work and there was no impact on customers, Denver Water said.
The following are comments from our users. Opinions expressed are neither created nor endorsed by TheDenverChannel.com. By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use. To report an offensive or otherwise inappropriate comment, click the "Flag" link that appears beneath that comment. Flagging a comment will send it to our editorial staff for review.

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Boost your home value and make buyers bite with these bathroom updates. More

Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Snacking can be a healthy part of your diet, as long as you choose the right snacks. Get tips for eating between meals. More

MyReport Network

E - News Registration focus group
  My Report Network: Tell your story on 7NEWS. Sign up to be a member of our My Report Network
Sponsored Links

MyReport Network

E - News Registration focus group
  My Report Network: Tell your story on 7NEWS. Sign up to be a member of our My Report Network