A stubborn attic fire in Glenwood Springs drew in firefighters from multiple agencies on Sunday, turning an ordinary neighborhood into a scene of flashing lights, smoky air, and tense teamwork that stretched well into the evening.

Flames Break Out in Spring Ridge Reserve

It was just after 4 p.m. when the first calls came in. Spring Ridge Reserve is the kind of place where people know each other’s pets, so it didn’t take long for worried neighbors to gather out front.

The Glenwood Springs Fire Department arrived fast. But they soon realized they’d need more help.

One sentence here: The fire had crawled into the attic — a firefighter’s nightmare.

Sprinklers went off, but the flames were above them, laughing off the water. That meant ladders, axes, and an all-hands-on-deck response.

Mutual Aid: More Than Just a Buzzword

Firefighting isn’t just about hoses and water. It’s about trust. When one agency calls, others come — no questions asked.

Incident Commander Hostetler said it best: “All crews performed exceptionally under challenging conditions.” That’s no small praise when you’re battling heat, hidden embers, and the clock.

Here’s who showed up:

• Four engines

• One ladder truck

• One ambulance

• One investigation vehicle

• Three command vehicles

All told, eighteen personnel were there. Each one doing their piece of the puzzle.

Pets Saved, No Lives Lost

House fires are tragic enough without tragedy compounding. So, when firefighters found all the pets — yes, even the guinea pigs — alive and well, the sigh of relief could be felt on the street.

One neighbor later said, “Honestly, the pets are family. You lose your stuff, you rebuild. But losing your dog? Or the kids’ guinea pigs? That’s heartbreak.”

No injuries. No fatalities. In this line of work, that’s as close to a win as you get.

Hours on the Clock

Fire crews stayed until 9 p.m. Some neighbors peeked out their curtains long after sunset, watching for any sign of flare-ups.

It was exhausting. But no one dared leave until they were sure it was safe. That attic had already proven sneaky.

Here’s a simple look at the timeline:

This wasn’t a quick job. Fires hidden above ceilings love to surprise you.

The Human Side of Firefighting

One sentence here: It’s easy to forget how human this work is.

Hostetler made sure to point out it was a “true team effort.” Mutual aid sounds so official, but it’s really neighbors helping neighbors with big trucks and heavy gear.

People from Rifle, Carbondale, even New Castle, showed up because that’s how it works out here. Rural mountain communities rely on each other when the worst happens.

Lessons from the Attic

Sprinkler systems are amazing — until they aren’t. This fire proved it again. When flames break out above the pipes, you’re back to axes, ladders, and old-fashioned sweat.

One local contractor said they see this all the time in mountain homes: complex roofs, lots of attic space, dry wood. Once fire gets in there, it loves to run.

One sentence here: There’s talk this might push some homeowners to check their systems.

What Happens Next?

Once the flames are out, the real work begins. Investigators were already on the scene with their vehicle. They’ll try to pin down what sparked it — faulty wiring, lightning, human error?

Neighbors will rally around the family that lived there. People swap casseroles, lend spare bedrooms, share tools for repairs.

One line here: That’s just what people do here.

Firefighters Get Little Rest

When the last hose was packed up, most of the crews still had calls waiting for them back in their own districts. That’s the thing about fire — it doesn’t care if you’re tired.

Still, no one complained. Hostetler’s pride in his team was clear. “Professionalism,” he said. You hear that word a lot. But watching someone crawl into a smoke-choked attic to save a stranger’s roof puts a whole new spin on it.

Small Town, Big Response

Spring Ridge Reserve will be talking about this fire for a while. Not just the flames — but how many people showed up, worked together, and made sure everyone — pets included — walked away.

One sentence here: Sometimes it takes a blaze to remind you who’s got your back.