ALAMOSA– Fire of undetermined origin caused serious damage to a large home just before 4 p.m. Thursday on Del Viento Drive just west of Alamosa.

Firefighters from the Alamosa and Monte Vista Fire Departments and Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) were on scene for nearly three hours due to the fire spreading into the attic of the one-story side of the structure, according to Fire Chief Don Chapman. That portion of the home suffered severe fire and water damage but may eventually be inhabitable, he said.

The attached two-story structure which was registered as a vacation rental received some smoke damage, Chapman said.

The property is owned by Shawn and Karen Studer of Pagosa Springs. Chief Chapman said the one-story portion was rented to Jane McCoy.

Chapman said the fire originated on a wood patio on the back of the one-story structure, spread up the exterior wall and into the attic, with the cause still under investigation. Firefighters fought the blaze from inside and out, pouring water and foam into attic vents and a hole cut in the roof by firefighters.

The single-story portion suffered severe roof damage, Chapman said, and inside due to ceiling collapse and water.

Alamosa responded with four trucks and 14 firefighters, assisted by DFPC with two trucks and three crew members as well as two Monte Vista units and nine personnel, Chapman said.

With some firefighters in other parts of the state fighting Covid-19 virus symptoms, Chapman said fires make it pretty hard to “socially distant.”

“But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”