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Small fire forces evacuation of Vail bank building

Scott N. Miller

VAIL ” A small, but smoky electrical fire forced the evacuation of the WestStar Bank building along South Frontage Road this afternoon.

The fire remains under investigation, but evidence so far points to a malfunction in the motor of the building’s elevator. Smoke from that small fire then got into a stairway, then wafted through other parts of the building.

The building, which is owned by Vail Valley Medical Center, includes the bank and several professional offices. No injuries were reported, but the building was evacuated.



“Everybody got out fine,” said Scott Boies of the medical center. “We didn’t hear any problems reported.”

With the exception of fire officials and repair people, the building will probably stay empty through the Memorial Day weekend. Vail Fire Chief John Gulick said the building probably wouldn’t re-open until Tuesday morning at the earliest.

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“It was a small fire,” Gulick said. “But it was real acrid smoke.”

The fire was first reported by the building’s smoke detection system.

Scott Miller can be reached at smiller@vaildaily.com

Vail Colorado


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