ATF, national response team called in to help investigate fire that destroyed Windsor Mill

WINDSOR, Colo. – Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and a national response team of more than a dozen investigators will be in Windsor by Tuesday morning to help find what led to a fire Sunday that destroyed the century-old Windsor Mill.

Crews with the Windsor Severance Fire Rescue department continued to work to put out hot spots at the fire Monday, as the fire still kicked up smoke.

View photos of the fire at Windsor Mill here.

The 118-year-old mill burned to the ground early Sunday morning amid renovations that were being made to revitalize the area after a tornado hit the mill in 2008.

Several businesses were being added nearby in the construction project, but those were still closed Tuesday—including the Hearth Restaurant. Roads in the area were still closed Monday afternoon as firefighters continued efforts to put out the fire.

Local authorities and agents from ATF will be holding a news conference Tuesday morning at 10:30 to address the fire and what comes next.

At this point, investigators have yet to determine a cause for the fire and are asking anyone with tips to call the ATF at 1-800-283-4867.

ATF agents are typically brought in to assist local agencies in investigating and enforcing possible arson cases, but are also called in to help investigate large fires.

A team of 15-20 national response team investigators will be at the site Tuesday morning to further the investigation, and will bring in tools and heavy equipment to help.

The local fire district said the fire would continue to burn until those crews can remove some debris that is currently trapping hot spots.

In the meantime, fire officials were asking people to keep affected people and businesses in mind.

“The tragedy of this fire extends beyond just the historic building. This incident is having an effect on one of the neighboring businesses, The Heath Restaurant,” Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Chief Herb Brady said Monday. “Please keep these great local businesses and its staff who are directly impacted in mind and give them extra support.”