Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 1:25 p.m., South Metro Fire Rescue and Littleton Police responded to a reported dumpster fire behind the ARC Thrift Store at 7951 S. Broadway, Littleton, CO.
Due to a large column of smoke visible from a distance, SMFR District Chief upgraded the incident to a working commercial structure fire to ensure an appropriate response.
Crews arrived to find a dumpster surrounded by a significant amount of donated household goods on fire at the rear of the building. As a precaution, occupants of the ARC Thrift Store and nearby businesses were evacuated.
The fire was declared under control at 1:52 p.m. with no injuries and no extension into the roof or interior of the surrounding businesses. Crews remained on scene for an extensive overhaul to ensure there were no remaining hot spots. All businesses were able to reopen by 3:00 p.m.
Investigators from the SMFR Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause to be the improper disposal of smoking materials.
Safety Reminder: Always extinguish smoking materials completely and dispose of them in a non-combustible container. Even a small ember can ignite nearby items and quickly spread into a dangerous fire.
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 1:25 p.m., South Metro Fire Rescue and Littleton Police responded to a reported dumpster fire behind the ARC Thrift Store at 7951 S. Broadway, Littleton, CO.
Due to a large column of smoke visible from a distance, SMFR District Chief upgraded the incident to a working commercial structure fire to ensure an appropriate response.
Crews arrived to find a dumpster surrounded by a significant amount of donated household goods on fire at the rear of the building. As a precaution, occupants of the ARC Thrift Store and nearby businesses were evacuated.
The fire was declared under control at 1:52 p.m. with no injuries and no extension into the roof or interior of the surrounding businesses. Crews remained on scene for an extensive overhaul to ensure there were no remaining hot spots. All businesses were able to reopen by 3:00 p.m.
Investigators from the SMFR Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause to be the improper disposal of smoking materials.
Safety Reminder: Always extinguish smoking materials completely and dispose of them in a non-combustible container. Even a small ember can ignite nearby items and quickly spread into a dangerous fire.
