'Life threatening' wildfires raze at least 600 homes, a shopping mall and a hotel to the ground in Boulder, Colorado: State of emergency declared after 'historic' December blaze sparked 30,000 to evacuate
Two grass fires were sparked in Colorado on Thursday morning after strong winds caused power lines to fall and transformers to explode
Six people have been taken to hospital in Broomfield with burns, a hospital spokesman confirmed; Colorado officials on Thursday night said they were unaware of any fatalities - although that could change, they said
Almost 600 homes have been destroyed, Boulder County sheriff said, and dramatic footage showed an apartment block in Superior going up in flames
Joe Pelle, the sheriff, said approximately 370 homes have been lost in the Sagamore subdivision, just west of Superior, and 210 in Old Town Superior, in addition to the Target store and Element hotel
Residents of Superior, home to 12,500, and Louisville, population 21,000, have been evacuated as the fires continue, with the Marshall Fire threatening the town and affecting an estimated 1,600 acres
Boulder County residents have been told to flee if they see smoke or flames and evacuation centers have been established around the area
Pre-evacuation orders have been issued for some parts of the town of Broomfield as the Marshall Fire continues to spread
XCel Energy Colorado reported that 22,500 people were without power at of 10:30pm local time in Colorado
Roads have been closed as high wind have blown several vehicles over and Denver International Airport temporarily halted flights
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency
By Harriet Alexander and Adriana Diaz For Dailymail.Com
Published: 15:33 EST, 30 December 2021 | Updated: 04:32 EST, 31 December 2021
Firefighters on Thursday night were trying their best to preserve homes in the line of a fast-moving wildfire, which has shocked the state at a time when the ground should usually be thick with December snow.
The Marshall Fire, just south of Boulder, was sparked by extreme winds gusting over 100mph, which knocked down power lines and sparked a fire.
Officials on Thursday night confirmed that at least 580 homes had been lost - making the Marshall Fire the most devastating destruction of property in state history.
As night fell on Thursday, the Marshall Fire was still blazing around Boulder, having forced the evacuation of some 30,000 people and destroyed 600 homes
more
As night fell on Thursday, the Marshall Fire was still blazing around Boulder, having forced the evacuation of some 30,000 people and destroyed 600 homes