Fire crews in Nederland are continuing to mop up the smoldering remains of the Caribou Village Center in Nederland. An early morning fire ripped through the strip mall and prompted temporary evacuations in several nearby neighborhoods. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
All of the businesses in the strip mall were lost, including a nature center, brewery, and yoga studio.
"This is a devastating loss for us, we're a small community and that building was the home to several local businesses - mom and pop businesses - operated by people who live here and they're our neighbors and our friends," said Town Manager Jonathan Cain.
Cain said the town will help business owners get back on their feet. Nederland has issued a disaster declaration to activate state resources for recovery. Boulder County partners are also lending support.
"It's a slow process, we have to hold the scene until the investigation is done and then at that point in time after that investigation is completed, then people can start to move forward, picking up the pieces," said Vinnie Montez with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
Earlier today evacuations orders went out for multiple neighborhoods along the Peak to Peak Highway. Road closures are still in place for the area around the shopping center. Big Springs is closed east from Colo. Highway 119 and west from Conger. Lakeview is also closed east of Highway 119 and west of Conger. Highway 119 is still open north to south.
According to the Colorado Sun, several Nederland residents became aware of the fire between 4 and 5 a.m. One resident said they had heard a loud explosion.
Cain credits local fire crews with preventing more widespread damage. The adjacent Carousel of Happiness, B&F Mountain Market, and Train Car Coffee and Kava were spared.
"Chief Charlie Schmidtmann and his crew are heroes, they saved the town," Cain said.
Timberline Fire from Gilpin County and Sugar Loaf Fire from Boulder County also assisted with the response.
The town of Nederland is asking residents to conserve water as crews continue to put out hot spots at the site.
