City Park bandstand fire under investigation
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The charred City Park bandstand after a fire early Thursday morning. Photos: John Frank/Axios
The Denver Fire Department is investigating an overnight fire that destroyed the City Park bandstand, but a spokesperson says it's too early to say how the fire started.
State of play: Emergency crews received a call at 2:40am Thursday that the site was burning, and when Denver Fire arrived, the bandstand was engulfed in flames, operations division chief Robert Murphy tells us.
- A Denver Zoo security guard who spotted the blaze called emergency personnel, Murphy adds. It took firefighters roughly six minutes to extinguish the flames. There were no reported injuries.
The latest: Yellow tape surrounded the structure Thursday morning with charred pieces of wood and ash floating on Ferril Lake.
- The stage floor of the bandstand collapsed.
What's next: The city's parks department will contact permit holders that may have reserved the space for events, spokesperson Stephanie Figueroa tells us.
- The department is determining whether to find new locations for permit holders.
Zoom in: An iconic feature of Denver's largest public park, the bandstand is known for hosting events, including serving as a stage for City Park Jazz, a popular free summer concert series.
- A spokesperson for the City Park Jazz said its directors are "already working through our options, and we'll be partnering closely with the city to ensure we can do everything in our power to have this incredible celebration of community again this summer."