Boulder apartment fire prompts concern over asbestos

Boulder, Colorado â€" Fire and flames spread quickly when a burning bush ignited an apartment complex in Boulder, Colorado. Police and firefighters responded quickly and all residents of the complex escaped without serious injury. However, due to the presence of asbestos in the building, there are still concerns over safety and air quality. Fire investigators believe that the fire started when a juniper bush outside the apartment complex caught fire. The flames quickly spread from the bush to the building, and spread throughout the complex. Witnesses reported seeing the bush burning and igniting the building, but investigators don’t yet know how the juniper bush itself caught fire. Several of the units in the apartment complex were damaged by smoke and fire, but no residents or firefighters were injured. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blazing building quickly, fighting the fire from outside the building. Public Information Officer for the Boulder Fire Department Sarah Huntley confirmed that firefighters wore protective clothing while fighting the fire because it was suspected that the building contained asbestos. David Lowery, Chief Fire Marshall for the Boulder Fire Department, said “It was confirmed that there was asbestos in the sheet rock of the building material that was used back when this structure was built.” Ironically, asbestos was often used as a fire proofing and flame retardant material. On that basis it was added to many different types of construction products up until the mid 1980s. However, inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause cancer and other serious diseases, meaning that for residents and firefighters there are health and safety concerns. The hazards of asbestos made it necessary for firefighters to protect themselves from the possibility of exposure. During a fire, asbestos fibers can easily become airborne as burned materials disintegrate and are spread around by high-pressure water blasts. Residents of the burned building will return today to retrieve emergency items with the help of firefighters wearing protective clothing. The American Red Cross is helping to find accommodation for the fire’s victims, who will not be allowed to return to the building for several days. According to the fire marshall, air quality inside the building will need to be tested to ensure that the building is safe for residents. Those whose units were severely damaged may need longer term accommodation. However, the quick response of firefighters means that serious damage was minimal. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)