Wildfire Devastates Hundreds of BMWs in Thornton

A wildfire that scorched 10 acres in Thornton on Wednesday claimed about 150 BMW vehicles, local authorities report. The blaze ignited after a passerby spotted smoldering mulch near Pinnacle Charter High School at 8412 Huron St. The fire department was alerted around 11:30 a.m., promptly calling for additional help as the fire spread rapidly across open space.

• Rapid escalation: The incident jumped from a first alarm to multiple alarms within minutes.
• Response: Roughly 150 responders tackled the flames, bringing it under control by about 2 p.m.
• Injuries: Three firefighters and a fire investigator sustained light injuries; no civilians were harmed.

Five businesses suffered damage, many of them auto repair shops. A luxury service center specializing in BMW parts and repairs bore the brunt of the loss.

Owner Jason Rol
“We store rare parts for enthusiasts, not junk. I counted 148 vehicles destroyed—many were restoration projects.”

The fire’s smoke billowed over metro Denver, leaving Rol shocked. He described this as his first day of “real emotion” about the incident and expressed difficulty returning to work each day.