A Summit County firefighter died early Saturday after falling from a five-story condominium while fighting a fire at Copper Mountain.
Ken Jones, 46, had climbed to the roof in search of access to the fire just before 2 a.m., Summit Fire and EMS said in a news release.
Jones, a 20-year veteran of the fire department, was known for his “quiet demeanor and can-do attitude,” Summit Fire & EMS Chief Jeff Berino said in a statement. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
“He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. He was a firefighter’s firefighter,” Berino said in the statement. “He’s been a valued member of our family for many years.”
Jones was a “phenomenal individual” with a steady presence, deputy chief Travis Davis told reporters at a news conference Saturday. “He will be greatly missed,” Davis said.
It’s the first death in the department’s history.
“No matter how many times you make these kind of notifications, you’re just never quite equipped to do it when it’s one of your own,” Davis said.
The cause of the fall, as well as the fire, will be investigated by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms — typical procedure for the death of a firefighter in the line of duty, Summit Fire said.
The Summit Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization serving four counties in the central mountains, has established a fund for the Jones family. Contributions may be sent to summitfoundation.org/give/donate or Summit Foundation, in memory of Ken Jones, P.O. Box 4000, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
About 35 people were displaced by the fire at the Bridge End condominiums in Copper Mountain. During the day, they were allowed to retrieve their belongings and were provided alternate lodging, if needed. The building remains closed during the investigation. The St. Anthony Copper Mountain Medical Clinic in the building also remains closed.