A barn was destroyed by fire Monday night south of Elmore’s Corner when a controlled burn thought to be extinguished reignited and torched the structure.
The fire was reported at 10:54 p.m. in the 200 block of County Road 305, about 2 miles south of the intersection at Colorado Highway 172 and U.S. Highway 160.
The blaze was extinguished by 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Durango Fire Protection District.
Firefighters had to shuttle water to the property because of a lack of water sources in the area. Though firefighters were unable to save the barn from total destruction, the tanker was instrumental in saving the house adjacent to the barn that also caught fire, according to DFPD. A few items within the house, including some family memorabilia, were destroyed in the blaze.
The homeowners were not harmed, nor were any animals or other people, said Karola Hanks, DFPD fire marshal.
“We are happy we saved the house,” Hanks said. “That’s what those tanker shuttles are for, hauling water to areas without any good water sources.
“We couldn’t save the barn, but the house is still there, so that’s something.”
molsen@durangoherald.com
