Everyone at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and School escaped safely after North Metro Fire Rescue crews extinguished a blaze sparked outside the building by a blowtorch being used on weeds, investigators say.
Firefighters were called to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and School in Broomfield, Colorado, on Friday morning after a fire broke out on the grounds at around 10am. North Metro Fire Rescue crews brought the blaze under control by roughly 11:30am, and everyone inside the building escaped safely. Investigators have since declared the fire accidental, saying it began outside the church when someone used a blowtorch on weeds. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.
No injuries have been reported beyond the initial evacuation, and no updated damage estimate has been released. Authorities have not issued further statements detailing the cost of the damage or any impact on church or school operations.
Blowtorch blamed as fire restrictions remain in force
The blaze comes as Broomfield remains under Level 1 Fire Restrictions, jointly issued by Broomfield Police and North Metro Fire Rescue because of dry conditions and heightened fire danger in the region. Residents have been urged to avoid activities that could spark fires, with officials emphasising that equipment capable of producing sparks or flames should be used with extreme caution while the restrictions remain in place. The restrictions are subject to change as weather conditions evolve.
A campus serving worshippers and children alike
The church sits at the corner of 120th and Main Street, with the congregation’s own website listing the campus address as 6695 W. 120th Ave. and identifying the facility as Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and School, home to regular Sunday services and educational programs. Beyond its congregation, the site also houses an elementary school and Early Learning Center, meaning Friday’s fire broke out on a campus used by children as well as worshippers.
Second unsettling incident in less than a year
Friday’s fire was not the first time the church has drawn attention from investigators. Last autumn, Broomfield police looked into an incident in which a swastika and other symbols were painted on the church’s sign. At the time, the city’s mayor and members of the city and county issued a joint statement describing the vandalism as “painful and deeply disturbing.” As of the latest publicly available information, Broomfield Police have not announced an arrest or resolution in that case.
