West Metro Firefighters Start Buildings On Fire

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4)- Firefighters intentionally started fires on Monday morning in order to help recruits learn how fire works.

Recruits with West Metro Fire Rescue burned down three structures they built over the weekend. The firefighters use the exercise to teach the recruits about construction and fighting fire.

"Well, this is really important to show the recruits not just what's happening from a book but to get them out here and see the real effects of fire on buildings and building construction, how fast it moves and then how hot it gets inside," said West Metro Fire Lt. Dan Wenger.

Each building was constructed of different material so the recruits could get a feel for how structures burn differently.

West Metro Fire planned to set the fires on Monday afternoon but decided to conduct the exercise early because of the high wind danger along the Front Range.