WESTMINSTER, Colo. — A home in Westminster is being called a "total loss" after a fire Sunday afternoon.
Police first noticed smoke coming from the house, located between Federal Boulevard and Northglenn Terminal Reservoir, as they drove by the neighborhood just before 4 p.m., according to the Westminster Fire Department.
Investigators said they believe the fire started in the garage where "three small explosions" happened while crews worked to put out the fire. They said they believe the explosions were gas tanks of the cars parked inside.
Westminster Fire said four people were inside the house when the fire started and they all made it out safely.
"The homes to either side and to the rear of the involved house were evacuated and fire crews focused efforts on keeping the fire from spreading to those houses," Lt. Jeromy Hill said.
Richard Weiss lives in a nearby home and said he was relaxing at home when a neighbor knocked on his door to tell him about the fire.
"[It] probably felt 20, 30 degrees hotter," Weiss said. "Almost like you're standing in front of a campfire."
After recording a few videos of the fire, Weiss walked over to his next-door neighbor's home. He said they were out of the town for the holiday weekend and he wanted to help protect their home as well as clean up the ash and soot that covered their yard from the nearby fire.
"I just don't think they need to come home after the weekend and have to deal with this," Weiss said.
Weiss said he also heard the explosions at his neighbor's home. He described the sound "like bombs going off."
Westminster Fire said the fire was under control about half an hour after they arrived. They stayed on scene throughout the evening "to ensure no fires continue smolder."
Firefighters said two adjacent homes sustained minor damage as a result of the fire.
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