Law enforcement is investigating a fire that destroyed the home of prominent Ouray County arts supporter and actor Terry Kiser early Thursday morning.
The fire on Lynx Road, near Ridgway, was reported at 4:30 a.m. by a guest of Kiser, actor-cinematographer Jordan Bellamy, who was in the main house when the fire started.
Bellamy woke up and noticed the fire, according to information from the Sheriff’s Office.
“Him waking up saved his life,” said Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry, adding it was a “very quick-burning, hot fire.” Bellamy and his dog were able to escape the fire without injury.
Both departments were dispatched at 4:30 a.m. to 3 Lynx Road. Ridgway volunteer firefighter Tyler Ferguson, who is Kiser’s direct neighbor to the east, was the first to the scene about five minutes after the call.
This photo shows the fire burning on Lynx Road from a distance in the early morning hours Thursday. Photo courtesy Devin Bullis
After assessing the scene from the outside, Ferguson said he tried to enter through the east side of the home and made it to the bottom of the stairs, but the smoke was too heavy to continue.
He went back outside and found Bellamy and his dog, who confirmed that all occupants were out of the home and accounted for.
When Assistant Ouray Fire Chief Bumper Williams arrived, he said the houses were fully involved. The departments had a total of 18 to 20 firefighters at the scene, he said.
Firefighters had two key concerns: containing the burn between the two structures – a main home and guest home – where an AmeriGas propane tank was located, and ensuring the fire did not burn up the hillside.
Wildland fire containment was the overall goal, Ferguson and Williams said.
The propane tank began to blow off steam from the inside, meaning the liquid inside was heating and at risk of exploding.
The teams were able to cool the tank and stop the venting enough to send in a firefighter to try and turn off the gas line, but the knob had melted.
Firefighters then repositioned as Williams called the AmeriGas hotline for support. Due to a language barrier he called Pioneer Propane instead, and they were en route to the location within minutes.
Pioneer was able to go in and shut down the gas line so they didn’t have a fuel source feeding the fire, Williams said.
The fire was contained by 9 a.m. and the team was able to save a car and a trailer, he said.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation into the source of the fire is ongoing, Perry said. Investigator Gio Mendoza will handle the case.
In the meantime, firefighters are mopping up and controlling any hot spots.
“We’ll be babysitting this throughout the day,” Williams said.
Kiser, reached by phone Thursday morning, said he was traveling home from Minneapolis, where he had been working.
“I’m headed home to see the devastation,” he said.
Kiser is an accomplished character actor and a co-founder of the Ouray International Film Festival. He is most well-known for playing Bernie Lomax, the deceased character in the 1989 dark comedy film “Weekend at Bernie’s.”
Erin McIntyre contributed to this report.
