Otero County Shop Fire Caused by Electrical Short Burns Equipment Worth Millions

Description: A fire at the Otero County Shop Building in Fowler on January 23, 2025, destroyed county equipment with an estimated valued in the millions, including dump trucks and a forklift. Investigators determined the cause to be an electrical short in a dump truck. Multiple fire departments responded, extinguishing the blaze within an hour. No foul play is suspected, and the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control is overseeing the investigation. (Photos Courtesy of Otero County/Darren Garcia)

Otero County Shop Fire Caused by Electrical Short Burns Equipment Worth Millions

Otero County officials reported that they were notified of a structure fire at the Fowler County Shop Building at 3:06 AM on January 23, 2025. Multiple agencies responded to the fire, which was quickly extinguished at around 4 AM.

County equipment in the building that burned included three dump trucks, a welder truck, a hot patch roller/packer, a forklift, and other shop equipment.

County officials reported that they contacted the Colorado Fire Inspector who determined the cause of the fire was ruled an equipment accident due to an electrical short in a dump truck and foul play is not suspected.

Multiple agencies assisted in extinguishing the structure fire, including the Fowler Fire Department, Rocky Ford Fire Dept., Manzanola Fire Dept. and the Crowley County Fire Dept.

Fowler Fire Chief BJ Ballard reported that the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control is handling any ongoing investigation. Otero County officials reported that the damage estimate had not yet been completed at the time of this report, but it is estimated to be in the millions.

According to Otero county officials, Otero County purchased three new dump trucks in 2020. They will arrive soon and this will provide some relief, but will not replace the loss to the fleet.

Watch the Announcement by the Otero County Commissioners:

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