Colorado Springs Airport Closed Following Overnight Fire
The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) will remain closed on Tuesday for all commercial departures and arrivals following a fire on the roof of the main terminal, which was extinguished early Tuesday morning.
The three-alarm fire broke out around 11:30pm Monday on the roof of the main terminal. It took firefighters about an hour to get the fire out, but crews are still in the process of assessing the smoke, water and fire damage. For Tuesday, the airport will remain closed.
Photos from inside the terminal show some debris on the ground, but don't appear to be too severe. However, airport Spokeswoman Aidan Ryan told KOAA that the damage done by the three-alarm fire is extensive, with much of the damage caused by water.
However, as a precaution, the airport will remain closed for all civil arrivals and departures. The COS airfield, GA and all military options will remain open. There's no set reopen date for the airport at this time.
At the time of the fire, the airport was evacuated. Passengers who were on aircraft that just landed at the airport were held on board before eventually being allowed to deplane away from the terminal. Because the baggage system was affected by the fire, passengers who deplaned Monday night did not have access to their luggage. Airlines are working on a way for passengers to retrieve their luggage or have it delivered to them.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and there were no injuries reported as a result of the flames. All airport employees are being told to report to the field stop nearby during their regular scheduled shift.
If you have a flight to, from or through COS on Tuesday, the airport is recommending that you call your airline to reschedule your flight.
Photo by KRDO
