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Many hands, many heroes
Montrose outdid itself in responding to a devastating fire downtown last week.
Hartman Bros. welding shop — located just behind its Main Street medical supply center — caught fire the afternoon of April 20.
Every fire is inherently dangerous, but this one was extra perilous. The combustibles inside the welding shop, along with the large oxygen storage tanks and other flammables on the property itself, made for an incredibly dangerous situation.
Five people, including a firefighter, were injured; one man had to be flown to Denver, where he reportedly faces multiple surgeries.
Several shops and nearby locations had to be evacuated; roads were closed and because of the injuries, Montrose Regional Health activated "code orange," pulling in available staff to be ready for potentially several patients.
The direct and indirect responses deserve strong praise.
Montrose Fire Protection District, for making sure no one was inside, battling the blaze, and keeping all those tanks cool so that there were not further explosions, is first on the list. Many people correctly observed that this fire could have been much worse. The liquids had potential to take out a city block or more, had they leaked and sparked.
Individuals also deserve a "hats off." We are certain there are more people than of whom we are aware, but Drake Waehner, who worked across the street from Hartman's, sprang into action when he heard something explode in the welding shop. He raced inside and told people to call 911.
Police officers who were not far from Hartman's raced to the scene; they helped others tend to an injured person in the alley until paramedics arrived and took over. Those people, and the officers, also deserve our gratitude.
So do all responding officers from the Montrose Police Department, Montrose County Sheriff's Office deputies, the posse, city and county employees — all of whom helped secure the scene, close streets, and more.
A shout-out, too, to Delta-Montrose Electric Association and Black Hills Energy, for shutting down power poles and gas lines during the response, to further cut risks.
Even businesses, like Buckaroo's Pizza, sprang into action. The pizzeria donated slices and water to first responders at the scene.
Yes, it can be fairly said that most of those listed above were "just doing their jobs," but when this many people act in concert to stop a bad situation from turning worse, well — we think that deserves recognition.
This is Katharhynn from the newsroom, extending that recognition and extreme gratitude to everyone who helped, whether we know who you are or not. I also extend my best wishes and thoughts to the people who were injured or otherwise affected, including Hartman Bros. itself.
Finally, if you're aware of anyone else who acted exceptionally, or of ways to help those who were injured, we are all ears. Email us at editor@montrosepress.com You can also check out staff members' take on the incident on our NABUR page, here and here
(Two firefighters hose down hotspots one day after the fire at Hartman Bros. welding and supply shop/Anna Lynn Winfrey/Montrose Daily Press)
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