One person was found dead inside a home destroyed by fire in the Poudre Canyon early Tuesday morning.
A fire was reported along Poudre Canyon Road, near the Greyrock trailhead, about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to a release from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medics responded.
Just before sunrise, the 1-acre fire was contained, but a wildland fire crew stayed on scene for the rest of the day Tuesday to make sure the fire was fully out and did not reignite, particularly amid the hot, dry weather and red flag fire conditions, the release states.
Authorities believe the fire started the home, which was fully destroyed.
Investigators initially were unable to determine if anyone had been at home due to the extreme heat and extensive damage. However, when crime scene investigators fully examined the scene later on Tuesday, they located human remains inside the home, the release states.
The sheriff’s office is working with the Larimer County coroner to identify the person. That information, as well as how the person died, will be released at a later time.
During the fire, an emergency alert went out to 591 devices reporting that the area was under a voluntary evacuation, and deputies also went door-to-door with the information. That evacuation was lifted at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday.
The investigation continues with help from the Loveland Police Department, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Chad McGuire at 970-498-7041; anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or stopcriminals.org.
Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, UCHealth emergency medics and Larimer County Emergency Services responded to the fire.
Residents can sign up to receive emergency alerts at nocoalert.org.