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Homes, businesses in downtown Brighton evacuated as fire rages

Posted at 4:13 PM, Jun 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-02 23:34:08-04

BRIGHTON, Colo. – More than a dozen homes and businesses in downtown Brighton had to be evacuated after several shops caught fire Friday afternoon.

The fire started in an auto body shop at around 4 p.m., burning cars and other flammable materials before spreading to a tire shop, according to Brighton Fire Rescue spokeswoman Natalie Ridderbos.

One person inside the tire shop managed to escape just as crews arrived to the scene of the fire in the area of North Main Street and Longs Peak Street. No injuries were reported.

Large flames and thick, black smoke filled the air as authorities ordered an evacuation of an entire block of homes and businesses on the west side of North Main Street.

Crews attacked the flames from every angle for about four hours. A ladder truck was also used to douse the fire from above. Fire officials said explosions were likely as the tires burn. 

The fire was under control at about 8:15 p.m. and crews were working on hotspots to put the fire out. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

The entire commercial building where the fire originated is a complete loss, Brighton Fire Rescue officials said Friday evening. 

Watch our coverage from the ground and from the air below: