Man using mobility aids escaped moments before fire destroyed his home

BYERS, Colo. (KDVR) — For part of Saturday, everything was fine in a rural area outside the town of Byers, but in moments, all hell was breaking loose around Mark Lancaster’s home.

“I heard a noise. I thought what is that? I stood up and I saw my outbuildings in flames. I mean literally flames climbing, and I thought, I just need to get out of here,” Lancaster said.

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A fire moved quickly across dry grass in the Arapahoe County community Saturday morning.

The problem was Lancaster, who is recovering from back surgeries, uses a walker and a wheelchair to get around. He knew seconds mattered.

“I just need to get out of here. I just need to get out of here. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think,” Lancaster said.

Lancaster was right. The Quail Hollow Fire would end up burning 1,152 acres, according to fire officials.

“I think the biggest takeaway is for us in the fire service, it’s no longer a seasonal fire season, it’s year-round,” Strasburg Fire Protection District Chief Patrick Conroy said.

Conroy said people need to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice, just like Lancaster was doing.

“So, I didn’t grab a wallet. I didn’t grab my meds; I had some money in my bedroom. I didn’t even think any of that,” Lancaster said.

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He left his home barefoot.

“I literally drove through small flames and some smoke, and I got out to the road,” Lancaster said.

The fire burned Lancaster’s home to the ground. Lancaster viewed a video of the remnants on his property.

“It’s hard to look at 27 years. It’s hard to look at. The main thing is I’m out and I’m OK,” Lancaster said.

Lancaster’s home was the only one destroyed in the fire. He’s not been back to the home since he evacuated, but he plans to rebuild.

As many as seven other outbuildings burned. A fund is being set up to help with expenses, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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