Seven families were displaced Saturday after a fire destroyed an apartment complex in Towaoc.

“There were no injuries,” said Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart.

An investigation was continuing, said Heart, who added that the fire destroyed the homes.

Heart said the families included a young couple with a newborn baby as well as senior citizens. All were displaced, he said.

“Some we put up in the hotel in Towaoc, and others are staying with family members,” Heart said Sunday.

Heart indicated that tribal leaders were expected to meet Monday morning to identify needs of the families and a drop-off location for donations. He predicted immediate needs would include clothing, blankets and home furnishings.

Ute Mountain Ute Public Safety Director John Trocheck said Monday morning that he hadn’t received tribal clearance to discuss the incident.

Cortez Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde said his crews were dispatched to the 200 block of Rustling Willow Street near Ute Mountain Ute tribal headquarters for a mutual aid call at 12:48 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. Upon arrival, Vandevoorde said crews discovered the six-unit, U-shape apartment complex was ablaze.

“It was a pretty heavy fire,” said Vandevoorde. “I haven’t been on a fire like that in a long time.”

Vandevoorde said the fire spread quickly because of high winds.

“The smoke conditions were unbelievable,” he said.

Asked to take command of the scene, Vandevoorde said he immediately requested additional crews from area stations. A total of 21 firefighters from Towaoc, Cortez, Lewis, Pleasant View, Mancos and Dolores responded, he said.

“We cleared the scene at 6:21 p.m.” said Vandevoorde.

According to Vandevoorde, the Cortez Fire Department responds to assist Ute Mountain Ute firefighters about five times an year.

tbaker@the-journal.com