Fires strike structures in Alamosa County on Friday

ALAMOSA — Alamosa firefighters responded to two structure fires on Friday afternoon, one that destroyed an abandoned structure on the 2 South and another that damaged the art studio and home of the Jim Gilmore family.

According to Alamosa Fire Chief Don Chapman the first fire on Friday afternoon began with a controlled burn that took off and caught an abandoned structure on fire in the 8500 block of the 2 South about 2:20 p.m.

Firefighters were called out again on Friday about 6:20 p.m. to 3731 County Road 105 South for a structure fire. Chapman said the fire began with a small trash or leaf pile that had burned earlier in the day, and the wind kicked up the embers, which started the wood pile on fire and spread to artist Jim Gilmore’s art studio and the adjacent Gilmore residence.

Both the studio and residence were damaged in the fire, with a portion of the residence’s roof collapsing after the fire moved into the home’s attic, according to Chapman.

The Alamosa department brought 21 firefighters and five trucks to the effort, and the Monte Vista Fire Department assisted with three trucks and nine personnel.

Caption: Alamosa Fire Chief Don Chapman leads the effort to contain a fire early evening on Friday at the art studio of professional artist Jim Gilmore west of Alamosa on County Road 105 South. The studio was adjacent to the Gilmore home, which was also damaged in the fire. Courier photo by Ruth Heide.