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Fire Causes Over $1m In Property Damage To Historic Building, Workers At Fault

November 22, 2005

Roofers started the two-alarm fire last week that damaged the historic building housing the Old Capitol Grill restaurant, city fire officials said in Golden. The contractor was likely negligent in causing the property damage.

Building owner Skip Ahern said he doesn't intend to sue the roofing company, which he declined to identify. 'They are a good company that I have used before. It was a pure accident,' he said. Ahern, who initially estimated it would cost about $5 million to repair the fire damage, said he is 'well insured' and doesn't believe community fundraising efforts will be needed. He may seek out historic-preservation grants.

Damage to the two-story red-brick building at 1122 Washington Ave. and its contents was estimated by fire officials at $1.3 million. The building's owner said it may take six to 12 months to restore the structure. The back two-thirds of the second floor were gutted by the blaze, while the remainder of the building - including the first-floor restaurant - suffered heavy smoke and water damage.

The roofing contractor's workers used a propane torch to do repairs around ductwork on the corrugated-metal roof, city spokeswoman Sabrina Henderson said. The torch ignited combustible material in the ductwork that led into the attic. Fire officials called the roofers' actions 'accidental.'

The city of Golden did not require the roofing company to obtain a building permit since the work involved emergency repairs, Henderson said. However, the company failed to get a 'hot work' permit from the Golden Fire Department to use a propane torch. The roofing company could be fined up to $999 for not getting the permit. Golden's fire marshal has not decided whether to fine the company, Henderson said.

The building was constructed in 1863, with an addition completed in 1866, as a home for the Colorado Territorial Legislature. Ahern is working with an architect and structural engineers to support an upper wall with trusses before the roof is removed since some brickwork has been weakened by the fire. The work is expected to take several weeks.