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Frisco Gas station explodes

Julie Sutor

FRISCO ” A fire at a Conoco gas station injured seven people, destroyed an RV and damaged three other vehicles on Frisco’s Main Street late Wednesday afternoon.

A total of seven people were treated for injuries, including one in critical condition. No fatalities were reported. Two juveniles were injured, including one in stable condition, according to Rachel Flood, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue public affairs coordinator.

Six of the seven victims were part of a group of Lakewood residents traveling together in the RV, which had stopped at the service station to refuel. The seventh victim was a station employee.



Two female victims, one a minor, were taken by ambulance to Vail Medical Center in urgent condition.

The remaining five victims were transported to Summit Medical Center. A juvenile male was in stable condition and remained in Summit County, but the other four victims were transported to University of Colorado Hospital in Denver ” two via Flight for Life, the other two via ambulance.

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Dillon resident Mike Lover, 28, had pulled into the Conoco station around 6 p.m. to purchase gasoline and witnessed the start of the blaze.

“Opposite me there was an RV filling up with gas,” Lover said. “When he finished, and replaced the nozzle, it started spraying back on him. As he backed away, it sprayed on the side of the RV, and it just went up in flames.”

The RV quickly caught fire, as did the canopy above the gasoline pumps.

“As soon as the whole side of the RV caught on fire, I ran. I thought about going back to get my car, but pieces of the canopy began to fall,” Lover said.

Soon after the fire erupted, a series of explosions scattered debris more than a block away.

According to Michael Penny, Frisco town manager, an employee was servicing the pumps about the time the flames ignited. According to Flood, a Loaf-N-Jug employee was in critical condition Wednesday night.

The first call to local authorities came in at 5:55 p.m., the alarm went of at 5:56 p.m., and the first firefighter arrived at the fire at 6 p.m., according to Flood.

Capt. Kelly Wagner of Lake Dillon Fire Rescue was the first to report to the scene.

According to bystanders, the RV’s driver and some other occupants escaped the fire, which destroyed the RV, burned much of Lover’s Jeep and damaged a Toyota pickup truck and a Ford Explorer. The RV, the Jeep and the pickup were at the pump, and the Explorer was at the storefront. All three cars under the gas station canopy were registered Colorado vehicles.

Children who escaped from the RV unharmed were in the care of Summit County Social Services Wednesday night. The Lakewood group is missing a pet beagle who was rescued from the RV.

About 25 gallons of gasoline spilled into storm drains on both sides of Main Street.

“Because of the volume of water (used to fight the fire) diluting the gasoline, there’s no immanent danger, in my opinion,” said Frisco public works director Tim Mack.

Mack and his staff planned to monitor the storm water system for contamination and debris Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Main Street reopened at about 9 p.m. According to Flood, the area under the canopy will remain roped off for the time being, but the convenience store should be open to the public.

Lt. Kim McDonald is continuing the investigation this morning.

” Ryan Slabaugh, Jim Pokrandt and Reid Williams contributed to this report.


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