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Castle Rock inspecting over 5,000 water meters after fire destroys 2 homes

Posted at 7:00 PM, May 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-01 21:55:19-04

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Crews with the Town of Castle Rock are inspecting over 5,300 water meters throughout the city after a devastating fire in the Meadows neighborhood two weeks ago. 

Although town officials say they do not believe the devices are a safety concern, they say fire investigators have not ruled the battery-powered water meters out as a possible source of the April 17 blaze.  

The Meadows Neighborhood fire broke out around 10 a.m. and was fueled by extreme wind conditions and highly flammable vegetation, 

By the time firefighters gained control, two homes were destroyed, and four others were damaged. There were no reports of injuries. 

The water meters became a focus of the investigation after crews pinned down the fire’s point of origin, the south side of a home at 4850 North Foxtail Drive. 

Investigators noted a Castle Rock Water remote reading device, a gas meter, and a Juniper shrub were on the side of the home where the fire started.

Officials stress there is currently no evidence to link the cause of the fire to the meters, which officials say have been in use in Castle Rock since 2015 without incident, and the inspections are being done out of an abundance of caution. 

Town officials say homeowners will be notified if the device on their home has been inspected. Crews will also be will be evaluating defensible space around the meters. 
 
Experts recommend removing fire-prone vegetation — including Juniper shrubs and Fitzer bushes — away from homes and utility hookups.

If residents have questions regarding flammable vegetation and defensible space around homes, contact Castle Rock Fire and Rescue at 303-660-1066.