ATF National Response Team Arrives to Assist Investigation into Windsor Mill Fire

DENVER — A specialized fire investigation team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrived in Windsor, Colorado, today, to assist with the investigation of the Windsor Mill fire that occurred just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

About 20 members of the National Response Team (NRT) were activated at the request of Windsor Severance Fire Rescue to help determine the cause of the fire at 301 Main St. in Windsor. The team will begin on-site work Tuesday morning.

Over the next several days, certified fire investigators and other experts will work alongside local investigators to sift through debris, reconstruct the scene, collect evidence, conduct interviews and attempt to identify an origin and cause of the fire. Windsor Police Department is also assisting with the investigation.

“Our goal is to find answers about this fire for the Town of Windsor. Working side-by-side with Windsor Severance Fire Rescue, we will leave no stone unturned,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston. “ATF’s highly experienced investigators conduct thorough and methodical investigations based on the scientific method, approaching all scenes with an open mind and no preconceptions.”

“We are grateful for the assistance from the ATF; this will bring in a world class team to assist us in not only determining the cause of this large community loss, but allow our limited staff to continue to serve ongoing daily needs of our community,” said Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Chief Herb Brady.

“We appreciate the support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” said Windsor Mayor Kristie Melendez. “We look to their expertise to provide answers to the cause of this devastating fire, and their help in moving us forward in this process.”

Since its inception in 1978, the NRT has deployed 814 times. This is the 18th NRT call out in Fiscal Year 2017, which began Oct. 1, 2016. Recent call outs include two fire investigations at partially built apartment complexes in northern California and an explosion investigation at an Army ammunition plant in Missouri. NRT last deployed to Colorado in response to the 2013 construction site fire in Glendale.

About NRT

ATF is the only federal agency with the responsibility and ability to investigate structure fires and crimes of arson. Much of its expertise and state-of-the-art equipment is assigned to the National Response Team, which deploys around the country and the world to investigate large-scale and complex fire and explosives scenes. More information on NRT can be found in the attached fact sheet.

About Windsor Severance Fire Rescue

 Windsor Severance Fire Rescue’s three full-time stations provide life-saving fire suppression and rescue services for more than 100 square miles of the Towns of Windsor and Severance and Weld and Larimer Counties. Learn more about Windsor Severance Fire Rescue at http://www.wsfr.us/ (link is external).