A preliminary Investigation into the Ellicott fire that began on Saturday, May 10 shows it was likely started by a discarded cigarette butt.

The fire burned 9,000 acres and completely destroyed one house, one large motor home and a total of nine buildings.

The blaze forced crews to shut down Peyton Highway between Highway 94 and Drennan Road, later extending the closure to Squirrel Creek Road.

Reverse 911 was used, telling residents to evacuate a 12-mile radius in the Ellicott area.

Those who had been evacuated were allowed back in to their homes beginning Saturday night and the fire was completely contained by Sunday.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing and more witnesses will be interviewed.

Fire investigators say they are trying to find the person responsible. If they do it's still unclear as to what consequences, if any, the person would face.

"A person has to be committing an offense that’s a knowing crime or a reckless crime, mere negligence is not enough,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Diana May.

She says if its determined the person who sparked this fire did it recklessly, they could face misdemeanor charges, but it all depends on how much damage was done and how many lives endangered.

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