The fire that started yesterday afternoon at the Western Excelsior Plant in Mancos, Colorado is under control, according to Mancos Fire Chief Tony Aspromonte. As of Tuesday morning, there is still light smoke and a few hot spots from burning excelsior and coconut husks.
No injuries were reported, but Chief Aspromonte says the fire almost completely destroyed the building at the plant, though some equipment may be salvageable. The fire did not spread to the wood piles outside.
Between 50 and 60 firefighters from the Mancos, Cortez, Pleasant View, Ute Mountain and Dolores Fire Districts responded to the blaze, which started yesterday Monday around 1:3o pm. By 1:30 am, crews had the fire knocked back.
According to a Montezuma County Public health release, 15 residences were evacuated, due to the heavy smoke. These residents should be returning to their homes this morning. The Red Cross responded, providing hotel vouchers and the Mancos VFW Post provided day shelter.
