Family Escapes Garage Fire in Fort Collins After Smoke Alarms Wake Residents

A Fort Collins family of four safely evacuated their home early October 10 after smoke alarms alerted them to a fire in their attached garage on Kiva Drive, allowing them to escape before flames could spread to the main residence.

Poudre Fire Authority crews were dispatched at 3:11 a.m. to the 4800 block of Kiva Drive after the family's smoke alarms woke a father, who immediately evacuated his wife and two young children from the home. All four occupants escaped without injury.

"People can have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire before toxins become lethal," PFA stated in announcing the incident.

Firefighters located the fire in the attached structure, referred to as a pool house, and quickly extinguished the flames before they extended into the main residence. Crews remained on scene to ventilate the home and ensure the family's safety.

Two family cats died in the fire and a third remains missing. The family's dog was transported to a veterinarian for treatment of smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation, with its condition unknown at the time of the announcement.

A PFA fire investigator responded to the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Smoke Alarms Provide Critical Early Warning

The incident demonstrates the life-saving value of functional smoke alarms, which provided the family sufficient warning to evacuate safely despite the fire starting while all occupants slept.

Colorado state law requires operational carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units that have fuel-fired heaters or appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages, according to PFA. The alarms must be installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each room used for sleeping purposes.

Poudre Fire Authority provides smoke alarms to residents who cannot afford to purchase them through a community assistance program. Residents needing smoke alarms can request assistance by calling 970-416-2891. The program provides stand-alone battery-operated units at no cost.

The authority recommends residents install smoke alarms on every level of their homes, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas to ensure early detection regardless of where fires originate.

Fire Prevention Week Emphasizes Safety Education

The garage fire occurred during Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 5-11 under this year's theme "Charge into Safety: Lithium-ion Batteries in Your Home." The annual observance, established by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, represents the oldest public health campaign in the United States.

PFA partnered with Jamie Hill State Farm Insurance and the National Fire Protection Association to expand lithium-ion battery safety education throughout October, providing funding for educational banners at all 13 fire stations and classroom materials distributed to schools.

The authority has responded to six lithium-ion battery fires in 2024 involving motorcycles, vans and landscape equipment. A May 22 shed fire in Fort Collins caused by a lithium-ion battery destroyed a shed and damaged five vehicles at a commercial property, resulting in $10,000 in property loss.

Authority Maintains Comprehensive Safety Programs

Poudre Fire Authority serves approximately 189,000 residents across a 235-square-mile service area including Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, and Bellvue, according to the authority's operational data. The agency employs 248 full-time positions, including 207 uniformed personnel working 24-hour shifts.

The authority maintains year-round fire safety education programs including a second-grade Safety House program, fire extinguisher training, and interactive safety demonstrations conducted in collaboration with local schools and community groups.

Firefighters work three consecutive 24-hour shifts beginning at 8:00 a.m., followed by four-day breaks. During their shifts, crews perform station and equipment maintenance, participate in training drills, conduct business fire inspections, deliver fire safety education, maintain physical fitness, and respond to emergencies.

The Poudre Emergency Communications Center dispatches for both Poudre Fire Authority and Fort Collins Police Services. Residents should call 911 for emergencies and 970-221-6540 for non-emergency situations.

PFA emphasizes that residents who detect smoke or fire should evacuate immediately and call 911 rather than attempting to investigate or control fires themselves.