South Metro Fire Rescue

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South Metro Fire Rescue Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from South Metro Fire Rescue, Fire station, 9195 E. Mineral Avenue, Centennial, CO.
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South Metro is an Internationally Accredited, ISO Class 1 Fire Rescue Protection District serving an area of approximately 300 square miles in south metro Denver. Serving the communities of Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills village, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Louviers, Parker, and unincorporated portions of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties in Colorado.

Small Fire at Ranch View Middle School Highlights Importance of Fire DrillsSouth Metro Fire Rescue and the Douglas Count...
10/20/2026

Small Fire at Ranch View Middle School Highlights Importance of Fire Drills

South Metro Fire Rescue and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a commercial structure fire at Ranch View Middle School, 1731 W. Wildcat Reserve Parkway in Highlands Ranch, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, just after 1:00 p.m.

All students and staff safely evacuated the building before firefighters arrived.

Crews located a small fire in the ceiling of an unoccupied classroom and extinguished it using a water-based fire extinguisher.
Investigators with the South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical malfunction involving a light fixture.

No injuries were reported.

Following the incident, Douglas County School District initiated a controlled release of students, with buses operating on their normal schedule. After-school activities continued as planned, and school is scheduled to resume normally on Wednesday, October 21.

This incident was a great example of why schools practice fire drills throughout the year. When the alarm sounded, students and staff knew what to do, allowing the building to be evacuated quickly, safely and efficiently.

South Metro Fire Rescue would like to thank the staff at Ranch View Middle School, Douglas County School District and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and coordination throughout the incident.

Assigned Units: District Chief 1, Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2, Engine 16, Engine 17, Engine 20, Engine 40, Ladder 12, Ladder 34, Tower 18, Medic 16, Medic 17, MED 2 Safety 1, IDT 2, IDT 10, IDT 11, Bureau 22, Bureau 24, PIO 12

South Metro Fire Rescue and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a commercial structure fire at 13101 James ...
10/20/2026

South Metro Fire Rescue and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a commercial structure fire at 13101 James E. Casey Avenue in unincorporated Douglas County on Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 8:50 p.m.

Initial 911 calls reported a package that was smoking and sparking. Approximately 55 employees inside the building were advised to evacuate.

The first-arriving crew from SMFR Station 44 found a large commercial building filled with smoke and determined that a box containing lithium-ion batteries was off-gassing. Firefighters removed the package from the building and moved it to a safe location.

South Metro Fire Rescue’s Hazmat Team responded to assist with safely overpacking the lithium-ion batteries for proper handling and disposal.

One person was transported non-emergent to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Due to exposure to potentially toxic smoke and gases produced by the batteries, the bunker gear worn by 14 SMFR personnel was considered contaminated and taken out of service for specialized cleaning and inspection.

After extensive ventilation operations to remove smoke and hazardous gases from the building, the property was turned back over to property management at approximately 11:00 p.m.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
Lithium-ion batteries are found in everything from cell phones and laptops to power tools, e-bikes and electric vehicles. When damaged, defective or improperly handled, these batteries can overheat and enter thermal runaway, potentially resulting in fire, explosion and the release of hazardous gases.

Smoke from a lithium-ion battery fire should always be treated as toxic. If a lithium-ion battery begins smoking, sparking, swelling, making unusual noises or giving off a strong odor, move away from the area and call 911. Do not breathe the smoke or attempt to handle a battery that is actively burning, smoking or off-gassing.

South Metro Fire Rescue encourages everyone to Buy, Charge and Recycle Safely:
Buy safely: Purchase battery-powered products that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and use manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers.
Charge safely: Follow manufacturer instructions, never charge damaged batteries, and avoid charging devices where they could block an exit.
Recycle safely: Never place lithium-ion batteries in household trash or recycling bins. Take them to an approved battery recycling or hazardous-waste collection location.

Assigned Units: District Chief 1, Battalion Chief 3, Battalion Chief 4, Engine 31, Engine 42, Engine 44, Ladder 34, Tower 32, Tower 35, Tower 45, Fan22, Hazmat 17, IDT 12, Medic 17, Medic 32, Medic 34, Medic 44, MED 1, Safety 1, Safety 2, Bureau 24, Bureau 34, Logs 3, Logs 10, PIO 12

Throwin’ ladders and pullin’ hoses with Academy 26-2
10/14/2026

Throwin’ ladders and pullin’ hoses with Academy 26-2

South Metro Fire Rescue, Columbine Valley Police Department (CVPD), and West Metro Fire Rescue (WMFR) responded to a wat...
10/14/2026

South Metro Fire Rescue, Columbine Valley Police Department (CVPD), and West Metro Fire Rescue (WMFR) responded to a water rescue near the 5200 block of Lakeshore Dr. in Bow Mar at 7:04 a.m. on October 14.

A 911 caller reported that a car was partially submerged in Bowles Lake and that they didn’t know whether anyone was still inside. When crews arrived on scene, they located a vehicle in the water that appeared unoccupied. Personnel from the SMFR Dive Team entered the water and confirmed no one was in or around the vehicle. Once the tow truck arrived on scene, divers connected the vehicle and helped the operator safely remove it from the water.

No injuries were reported. CVPD officers are working to identify and contact the vehicle owner. Thank you to WMFR and Columbine Valley Police for your assistance on scene.

Units assigned: Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2, Dive 19, Dive 31, Engine 11, Engine 13, Medic 11, Medic 13, Medic 31, Safety 1, Med 2, PIO 14, IDT 11, IDT 31, West Metro Battalion 3, West Metro Dive 2, West Metro Tower 10, West Metro Medic 8, and West Metro SAM 2.

South Metro Fire Rescue and Littleton Colorado Police Department (LPD) responded to a hazardous materials incident at Al...
10/13/2026

South Metro Fire Rescue and Littleton Colorado Police Department (LPD) responded to a hazardous materials incident at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, just before 8:15 p.m. on Monday, October 12.

A 911 caller reported that a chemical reaction had occurred in the kitchen at Alamo Drafthouse and one person was possibly exposed. When crews arrived on scene, they began evacuating the entire structure with help from LPD officers. Personnel from the SMFR Hazmat Team investigated the reported spill and confirmed the reaction was isolated.

Firefighters determined there was no ongoing hazard to the community, and the property representative was allowed to reoccupy the building. Fire Medics evaluated one person on scene who did not require transport to the hospital. Thank you to the Littleton Police Department for your assistance on scene.

Units on scene: District Chief 1, Battalion Chief 1, Hazmat 17, Hazmat 38, Engine 16, Tower 18, Medic 11, Medic 13, Medic 16, Medic 17, Medic 18, Safety 1, Med 1, PIO 14, and IDT 31.

Don’t toss lithium-ion batteries or devices in the trash or regular recycling bins - they can start a fire. Drop them of...
10/10/2026

Don’t toss lithium-ion batteries or devices in the trash or regular recycling bins - they can start a fire. Drop them off at an official battery recycling location. It’s safer and way better for the planet.

To find a drop-off location near you, visit www.call2recycle.org

Did you know the State of Colorado has recently passed legislation to help keep consumers safer? Check out bill SB25-163, Battery Stewardship Programs, and bill SB26-003, End-of-Life Management of Electric Vehicle Batteries: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/bill-search

Before you buy anything with a lithium-ion battery, do your homework. Check the packaging and product for a mark from a ...
10/09/2026

Before you buy anything with a lithium-ion battery, do your homework. Check the packaging and product for a mark from a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL) - that stamp means it meets real safety standards.

Many products sold online and in stores don’t meet safety standards, which can seriously increase your risk of fire. To view a list of icons and NRTL-approved labs, visit: https://www.osha.gov/nationally-recognized-testing-laboratory-program/current-list-of-nrtls

Did you know the State of Colorado has recently passed legislation to help keep consumers safer? To learn more, check out bill HB25-1197, Sale of Electrical Assisted Bicycles Requirements: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1197

Check out this special-edition SMFR podcast about Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety! Lithium-Ion Batteries (LiB) have beco...
10/08/2026

Check out this special-edition SMFR podcast about Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety!

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LiB) have become increasingly popular over the last decade because of their high energy capacity, small size, and convenience in everyday items. From the first sign of a problem, you may have less than 1 minute to escape a LiB fire!

Although devices with these unique batteries improve our lives in many ways, it's important to know how to prevent fires involving these popular batteries and, if a fire does occur, how to respond.

To watch the podcast, visit: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ5XYjzfrSs

South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) celebrated the last shifts of Firefighter Greg Allen and Engineer Eric Ritter at the SMFR...
10/07/2026

South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) celebrated the last shifts of Firefighter Greg Allen and Engineer Eric Ritter at the SMFR Training Facility on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Allen and Ritter retired just as they spent much of their 24-year careers — together.

Engineer Eric Ritter began his career with Parker Fire District in 2002, before the district consolidated operations with South Metro Fire Rescue in 2008. Firefighter Greg Allen joined South Metro Fire Rescue in 2002.

Their careers followed remarkably similar paths. Allen and Ritter spent much of their time together at Stations 45 and 34, served together on the Technical Rescue and Dive Teams, and finished their careers together as Recruit Training Officers, sharing decades of experience with the newest members of SMFR.

In 2025, Allen was recognized as SMFR's Firefighter of the Year.

After 24 years of service, it seems fitting that two careers spent side by side would end the same way.

Thank you, Firefighter Allen, and Engineer Ritter, for your remarkable service, dedication, and commitment to South Metro and the communities we serve. We wish you both the very best in retirement.

Reduce your risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Charge devices safely by unplugging them once they're fully charged.-Char...
10/07/2026

Reduce your risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Charge devices safely by unplugging them once they're fully charged.

-Charge any lithium-ion battery device on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk, or floor. Beds,
couches, and pillows can trap heat and block airflow, which can cause a battery to overheat.
-Stop using your device right away if the battery smells strange, is warm to the touch, makes popping noises, changes in shape or color, or if you see smoke. If it is safe, move the device away
from anything that can catch fire. A damaged battery can overheat and start a fire.
-Unplug your device when it is fully charged. Leaving it plugged in longer than needed can increase heat and stress on the battery.
-Charge large items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside when possible. Do not block exits when charging. These batteries store more energy, and fires can grow quickly if they fail.
-When charging on a plane, keep portable charging devices on the tray table. Do not charge devices in overhead compartments and never charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane. If a battery overheats or fails, the flight crew must be able to respond quickly.

For more information, visit: fpw.org

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9195 E. Mineral Avenue
Centennial, CO
80112

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