Overnight observation after crews respond to homeless camp fire near Pueblo Mall

PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV) - Crews responded to a fire in northeast Pueblo Saturday morning.

Pueblo’s Fire Inspector Eric Duran said the fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. in a homeless camp behind the Target on Dillon Drive, near the Pueblo Mall. Duran said the fire spread quickly due to Saturday’s strong winds.

Duran said there were reports of residents in the nearby Belmont neighborhood with smoke inhalation issues who first responders treated, but he was unsure if anyone was transferred to the hospital. He also said he encourages residents in that neighborhood to close their windows.

Firefighters said that as of 11 a.m., they were not evacuating any neighborhoods but were prepared to if the fire spread. At that time, firefighters were still hitting hot spots in the area.

Firefighters said they would remain in the area working on hot spots throughout the afternoon and that smoke might be visible from I-25 and Highway 50 for the remainder of the day.

By Saturday afternoon, the department had reduced the crew numbers, but many were mopping up hot spots and ensuring the wind did not spark another blaze.

Crews say they will be on the scene overnight to monitor hot spots.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

11 News first learned of the fire from a viewer who called and said they could see smoke and firetrucks behind the Target at the Pueblo Mall before 10 a.m. We confirmed that police were on the scene and fire crews were responding around 10:20 a.m.

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