A fire destroyed a home Sunday afternoon in Towaoc, according to the Ute Mountain Ute Fire Department.
No one was injured, and the home was a total loss, said Chief Tom Stephenson. The fire occurred near the intersection of Mountain Sage Road and Rustling Willow Road.
Two dogs were rescued from the burning home, he said.
Firefighters smashed a window in the room where the dogs were trapped, and the dogs jumped out.
Ute Mountain Ute Fire Department crews and EMTs responded to the blaze after 4 p.m. Mutual aid was provided by Cortez Fire Protection District and the Dolores Volunteer Fire Department, Stephenson said. Crews were at the scene for more than three hours in windy conditions.
No evacuations were required because the home was fairly isolated, and no other structures were threatened. The family was reportedly not home when the fire started.
The cause of the fire is not known. It was being investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Stephenson said.
The displaced family is receiving assistance from the tribe and the American Red Cross.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
