Westminster Fire Department responded to two structure fires over a two-day, the first happening early Sunday morning.

Around 3:06 a.m. on Feb. 2, firefighters responded to a fire in a townhome in the 3500 block of 97th Avenue after a neighbor called dispatch and reported seeing flames coming from the exterior of the townhouse near the roof and around the chimney. Occupants of the home escaped the fire unharmed.

Upon arrival firefighters saw visible smoke and fire coming from the rear of the home at the roof line.

Fire lieutenant Bruce Black said hose lines were stretched to the rear of the complex, and the fire was extinguished with multiple fire units.

“The reporting party played a very important role in reporting this fire early, while it was still contained to the chimney,” Black said. “The fire damage was isolated to the chimney and roof around the chimney box.”

The cause is still being investigated, but Black said the cause is most likely related to the use of the fireplace. Two people were displaced as a result of the fire and were given financial assistance from the Westminster Fire Victim’s Fund.

The second fire happened around 4:06 a.m. on Feb. 3 after a report of smoke in an apartment complex at the 9100 block of Vance Street in Westminster. A neighbor woke up to the smell of smoke and to the sound of smoke detectors, prompting the emergency call.

Upon arrival to the scene, firefighters found smoke and a small fire contained to the furnace/hot water closet in one unit on the first floor, said Courtney Van Marter, fire paramedic. Again, the reporting caller made a big impact in the role of the fire, allowing early arrival of fire units while the fire was still contained to one apartment, she added.

“The fire damage was isolated to the furnace/hot water closet,” Van Marter said. “The cause of the fire remains under investigation. There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters. The residents of the occupancy were not home at the time of the fire and have been notified of the event.”

The Westminster Fire Department would like to remind the public to never remove the pilot light cover from the furnace and do not store combustible items in or around the furnace/hot waterclosets.