\u201cThere were no injuries,\u201d said Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart.<\/p>\n
An investigation was continuing, said Heart, who added that the fire destroyed the homes.<\/p>\n
Heart said the families included a young couple with a newborn baby as well as senior citizens. All were displaced, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome we put up in the hotel in Towaoc, and others are staying with family members,\u201d Heart said Sunday.<\/p>\n
Heart indicated that tribal leaders were expected to meet Monday morning to identify needs of the families and a drop-off location for donations. He predicted immediate needs would include clothing, blankets and home furnishings.<\/p>\n
Ute Mountain Ute Public Safety Director John Trocheck said Monday morning that he hadn\u2019t received tribal clearance to discuss the incident.<\/p>\n
Cortez Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde said his crews were dispatched to the 200 block of Rustling Willow Street near Ute Mountain Ute tribal headquarters for a mutual aid call at 12:48 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. Upon arrival, Vandevoorde said crews discovered the six-unit, U-shape apartment complex was ablaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a pretty heavy fire,\u201d said Vandevoorde. \u201cI haven\u2019t been on a fire like that in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vandevoorde said the fire spread quickly because of high winds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe smoke conditions were unbelievable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Asked to take command of the scene, Vandevoorde said he immediately requested additional crews from area stations. A total of 21 firefighters from Towaoc, Cortez, Lewis, Pleasant View, Mancos and Dolores responded, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cleared the scene at 6:21 p.m.\u201d said Vandevoorde.<\/p>\n
According to Vandevoorde, the Cortez Fire Department responds to assist Ute Mountain Ute firefighters about five times an year.<\/p>\n