A devastating fire hit two homes at the Russ Trailer Park on at 621 N. Elm St. early Thursday morning.
Responding to a 911 call, Cortez firefighters arrived at 5:30 a.m. to find unit No. 18 engulfed in flames. It was a total loss.
The fire had spread to unit 17, but fire crews arrived in time to put it out before it destroyed the home. The fire broke windows and caught the couch on fire in the residence, and heat blew out a tire on a car parked nearby.
“The crews did a good job of knocking it down quick to save the second home,” said Cortez Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde. “The scene was cleared around 7 a.m..”
The three adults in No. 18 and two adults in No. 17 escaped without injury. A family cat died.
Nearby neighbors were evacuated for an hour while the fires were put out.
The fire started on the porch of No. 18. The preliminary investigation is that it was “accidental, unintentional,” according to fire officials. Smoking materials are a suspected cause.
Sixteen firefighters fought the blaze. Cortez Fire dispatched 13 firefighters, an engine, ladder truck and two rescue units. Lewis-Arriola Fire assisted with an engine and three firefighters.
The Red Cross is assisting the residents with temporary housing and other needs.
To donate call (970) 259-5383.