1,600-acre Marshal Fire destroys hundreds of homes, forces evacuations in Colorado

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Hundreds of homes are feared burned and thousands have been evacuated as a 1,600-acre fire sweeps through Colorado Thursday.

The Boulder County Sheriff estimated that the blaze, known as the Marshall Fire, has destroyed about 580 homes so far, including 370 in the Sagamore subdivision and 200 more in Olde Town Superior.

"We know that there are structures -- both homes and businesses that have been lost -- hundreds of structures," Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.

Gov. Jared Polis said the state would stand behind those affected by the blaze.

"The eyes of the nation and from Colorado turn to Boulder County where at least a 1,600-acre fire has destroyed hundreds of homes," Polis said during a news conference. "For those who've lost everything that they have, know that we will be there for you to rebuild your lives in the state of Colorado."

The blaze began burning near Marshall Road and Cherryvale Road in Boulder just before 3 p.m. before rapidly growing in size.

Boulder County spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said all structures in the towns of Superior and Lousiville, totaling about 13,000 homes, were being evacuated. Churchill added that any residents in other areas that can see fire and flames should also evacuate.

The Broomfield Police Department also announced pre-evacuation orders for residents at the Caliber at Flatirons Apartments, Retreat at Flatirons Apartments, Terracina of Broomfield Apartments, Vantage Point Apartments, Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt House in Broomfield.

UCHealth Broomfield Hospital representative Kelli Christensen also told The Colorado Sun that it had received six burn victim patients.

Police radio reports stated multiple structures were on fire within the burn area and portions of U.S. 36 were closed due to the blaze.

A second fire, dubbed the Middle Fork Fire, was reportedly threatening structures near North Foothills Highway and Middle Fork Road but no size estimate was immediately available.

The causes of the two fires was not official confirmed, but the sheriff's office said the initial calls were made in response to a downed power line.

Several other grass fires sparked by downed power lines were also reported in Boulder County on Thursday.