COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — A Summit Fire and EMS firefighter died Saturday morning after falling from the rooftop of a five-story condominium building in Copper Mountain while battling a fire.
The Summit Fire Department said 46-year-old Ken Jones, a 20-year fire veteran, climbed to the roof to find access to the fire reported before 2 a.m. at the Bridge End condominium building at 860 Copper Road.
At a briefing Saturday afternoon, Summit Fire and EMS praised Jones' work with the agency.
“These times can be trying on any organization," said Deputy Chief Travis Davis. "Ken was a phenomenal individual. He was an oak. He was a very steady presence.”
Davis said that Jones fell from the peak of the roof, which was about 60 feet up.
Jones is survived by his wife and two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, according to Davis.
Davis said crews on duty at the time were dismissed for the day. The building was evacuated without incident, and the fire was extinguished.
“Ken had a heart of gold and was well respected by everybody in our organization," said Summit Fire and EMS Chief Jeff Berino.
Berino called Jones a "firefighter's firefighter." He hired Jones in September of 2000. He remembered the young man he hired for his bright eyes, smile and quick wit. Jones fit right in, he said.
“We can teach our firefighters how to tie knots and how to deal with fires, but they have to have the passion and the drive and the love to serve the community and Ken did," Berino said.
Berino said the fire at the condo complex was accidental, and investigators believe it started as the result of a heating appliance in a chimney chase.
This is Summit Fire and EMS's first firefighter fatality in the fire department's history, authorities said.
Summit Fire is accepting flowers, cards and other expressions of sympathy at its headquarters at 0035 County Shops Road in Frisco, according to a release.
West Metro Fire is also accepting flowers and cards at Station 10 at 3535 South Kipling St. in Lakewood.
The Summit Foundation has established a memorial fund for Jones' family. You can make a donation by clicking here.
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