That means a lot to our guys when they’re out there for seven to eight hours.” “El Grande donated hot tea and chocolate, and let our crews use their restroom facilities,” Vandevoorde said. Vandevoorde said that he was thankful no other businesses were lost, and he was especially appreciative of local businesses stepping up to assist. “It’s devastating to your employees,” she said. Her businesses faced a similar crisis on a smaller scale when Once Upon a Sandwich flooded several years ago. She found it heartbreaking to see such a loss to happen to a local business like hers. She said she was astonished to see a firefighter engulfed in smoke on the ladder. “It just wasn’t safe enough to keep crews in there,” he said.Ĭarolyn Hessom, one of the owners of Once Upon a Sandwich, saw the fire on her way to work Sunday morning about 7:30 a.m. After initial sweeps firemen went outside. “It doesn’t look suspicious, but the cause remains undetermined at this time,” Vandevoorde said.īalke said fire crews took a defensive approach, in part, because nobody was inside the building. The cause of the fire remains under scrutiny by the department’s arson investigator and Cortez Police Department detectives. “Power was restored before we left the scene,” Vandevoorde said. Power was fully returned by about 12:30 p.m. Officials allowed surrounding business owners in their place of business to remove computers and other pertinent items, Vandevoorde said. While fighting the fire, power was shut off to the entire zero to 100 block of Main Street as a precaution, impacting a half-dozen businesses. “There was some minor smoke damage to adjoining businesses, but they should be back open today.” “We were able to contain the fire to those three businesses,” said Cortez Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde on Monday. No injuries were reported, but Stewart’s Flooring, Cortez Works, and Family Shoes and More were destroyed, said Balke. Some 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including crews from Dolores, Lewis, Mancos and Pleasant View. “Secondary crews came around the back and saw active fire.” “We saw heavy smoke pushing through the roof and through the front of the building,” he explained. Assistant Fire Chief Charles Balke was with one of the first crews to respond. Within four minutes, firefighters were on scene as flames jumped some 20 feet in the air. Box 218, Cortez, CO 81321.An early morning blaze in downtown Cortez on Sunday gutted three businesses and halted eastbound and westbound traffic on Main Street for hours.Įmergency fire crews were dispatched to Stewart’s Floor Covering at 20 East Main St. A donation can be made in June Head’s name to the Montezuma County Historical Society, P.O. Per June’s request, there will be no services and her ashes will be spread at Barlow Creek. June is survived by her son, Jim (Virginia) of Volcano, Hawaii, nephew Rick (Linda) Smith of Cortez, Colorado, grand-niece Jennifer (Roger) Trembly of Dolores, Colorado and grand-niece Amber (Eric) Jaworsky of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. June contributed many of her favorite historic photos for public view at Cortez City Hall. She also wrote the “Looking Back” column for the local newspaper. She developed an interest in history and served as historian for Montezuma County Historical Society. Her pastimes included trips throughout the Southwest with the Four Corners Jeep Club, elk hunting, at Uncle Louie’s cabin in the “high country” and after retirement, traveling the Mid-West and Eastern U.S. Along the way, her friendly demeanor and desire to help made her many friends. Vogel, Bill Love Real Estate in the Cortez Journal Building, Mesa Verde Savings and Loan Association, and finally at First National Bank. June spent her working years at several places, including Dr. She married William (Bill) Henry Head in Aztec, New Mexico on October 30, 1947. June graduated from Cortez High School in 1945. She had fond memories of traveling on the Galloping Goose narrow-gauge train from Dolores to Barlow Creek and then riding mules to the mines. June’s childhood during the depression and the Second World War was spent at home with summers spent with her Uncle Louie at Barlow Creek between Rico and Telluride, Colorado. Her brother, Richard Ray “Dick” Smith was born in Cortez in 1934 and passed away in 1999. She was born in Cortez, Colorado, the first child of Dorothy Bernadine Dunning and Clarence Ray Smith. Dorothy June Head age 93, passed away on November 18, 2022.
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