COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Emergency officials on Sunday issued a pre-evacuation warning for homes near Tenderfoot Hill Road after a fire at a computer hardware facility that authorities say involves a chemical gas.
What happened
The Colorado Springs Fire Department responded to a fire at Microchip, a computer hardware company located between Venetucci Boulevard and Tenderfoot Hill Street. Fire officials said the blaze is confined to a portion of the building that houses a chemical gas and that Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) crews are working at the scene.
Officials advised residents in the immediate area to prepare to evacuate if conditions change. No further details about injuries, the specific chemical involved or the extent of property damage were released by the department as of the initial bulletin.
Public-safety messaging and how residents can get alerts
Local authorities reminded residents that several counties in the region use emergency notification services to reach community members during incidents like this. The counties listed by officials include Custer, El Paso, Fremont and Teller.
| County | Alert system |
|---|---|
| Custer | Everbridge |
| El Paso | Everbridge; ReachWell integration for Peak Alerts |
| Fremont | Everbridge |
| Teller | Everbridge |
Officials also highlighted a recent partner integration intended to broaden alert reach and language accessibility. A new partnership with the ReachWell app will allow Peak Alerts to be delivered in up to 130 different languages, according to the notice. ReachWell does not require users to create an account or share personal information to receive alerts.
To receive Peak Alerts through ReachWell, users are instructed to follow these steps:
- Download the ReachWell app from your device’s app store or visit rwell.us/ElPasoCO and enable push notifications.
- Select your preferred language in the app.
- Add Peak Alerts to your list of alert sources.
What residents should do now
At this stage officials issued a pre-evacuation notice, which is a preparatory warning telling residents to have evacuation plans and supplies ready. That can include important documents, medications, a phone charger, and pets. Residents should monitor official channels for updates and follow instructions from emergency personnel if an evacuation order is given.
Fire and HAZMAT crews remained on site to assess the situation and contain the affected area. The department said the fire appears isolated to the section of the facility where the chemical gas is stored, but investigators and hazmat technicians are still working to confirm containment and ensure there is no ongoing threat to neighboring properties.
What we do and don’t know
Verified details from the Colorado Springs Fire Department include the location of the incident — Tenderfoot Hill Road between Venetucci Boulevard and Tenderfoot Hill Street — the involvement of a chemical gas within a confined area of the Microchip facility, and the deployment of specialized HAZMAT teams. Officials have not yet released information about the identity of the chemical, any injuries, or whether additional evacuations will be ordered.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor official releases from the Colorado Springs Fire Department and county alert services and will update this item as more information becomes available.
If you live in the affected area, check local emergency notifications and follow instructions from first responders. For residents in Custer, El Paso, Fremont and Teller counties who have not already signed up for emergency alerts, consider registering for Everbridge or downloading ReachWell to receive multilingual Push Alerts.
Reporting by Hannah Sorensen, State Correspondent.
