Nederland strip mall a "total loss" after early morning fire
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A fire at Caribou Village Shopping Center in Nederland early Thursday morning. Photo: Courtesy Josh Stanfield
The strip mall at the Caribou Village Shopping Center — the anchor of downtown Nederland — was destroyed in a fire early Thursday morning.
The latest: The Nederland Fire Protection District said Thursday afternoon that a fire destroyed all of the businesses in the two-story strip mall on the center's south end, leaving it a "total loss."
- Though no human injuries were reported, Wild Bear Nature Center confirmed "ambassador animals" died in the fire at its interim nature center in downtown Nederland.
Zoom in: The fire spread across both floors of the shopping center's south building, a strip mall that included several galleries, restaurants and other small businesses.
- Very Nice Brewing Company, Tres Gringos and Tadasana Mountain Yoga all posted on Facebook about the loss of their businesses.
- The Carousel of Happiness and the B & F Mountain Market did not suffer any fire damage.
Catch up quick: Nederland Fire officials said the fire was first reported at 3:40am Thursday and was officially declared contained at 7:11am.
- Initial evacuation orders for area were issued for residents Thursday morning but lifted shortly after 10am.
- No cause has been identified yet. Boulder County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Vinnie Montez said detectives began their investigation as of 10am.
- Road closures are expected to remain around the mall at 20 Lakeview Drive over the weekend, per Nederland Fire, but Colorado 119 is open for north- and southbound traffic.
- The town of Nederland asked residents to conserve water to support firefighting efforts.
What they're saying: Resident Josh Stanfield, who lives about a mile from the shopping area, told Axios Boulder he was awakened early Thursday by something that "sounded like a plow truck driving by" that he now believes was an explosion.
The big picture: The fire comes following a tumultuous few years for Nederland.
- The town lost one of its biggest tourist attractions in 2023 with the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival moving to Estes Park.
- Earlier this year, the town agreed to buy its other big tourist attraction, Eldora ski area.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout.