A home belonging to former Fraser Board of Trustees member Andy Miller caught fire on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Around 7 p.m., Brian Roman and his wife Katie were taking a walk in the neighborhood when they noticed smoke coming from the kitchen of the 267 Mill Ave., several witnesses reported.

Earlier that afternoon, heavy lightning had struck the area, including a major blast at an electrical pole nearby Vicious Cycle Brewing Company that ignited the ground around it. Power went out in Granby around the same time due to lightning strikes in the area.

“It appears the voltage potential got into gas lines, came up and blew a little hole in the gas line going to a stove/appliance connection,” said East Grand Fire Chief Todd Holzworth. “It took a while, but caught things on fire … We were in the middle a really exciting training session on doing reports, so it was a pleasant diversion.”

Meanwhile, another neighbor, Jeremy Emal, grabbed a fire extinguisher from a nearby police car and knocked the fire down inside the kitchen as Roman sprayed hose water in through the open doorway.

“Thank goodness my front door was open,” Miller said. “They didn’t have to kick it in or anything.”

After arriving on scene, firefighters were able to tame the flames quickly, thanks to the bold actions of neighbors.

“It got into the wall a bit,” Holzworth said. “We had to open that up until we saw clear wood. There was no major structural damage or anything like that. I guess they get to do a little kitchen remodel …

“It was pretty straightforward, but awkward. It’s tongue and groove wall paneling. But it’s a tough old house. It put up a good fight, and held up pretty good. We kept it from extending into the attic. It was out within a few minutes of us getting there, but it took a while for all the smoldering and stuff. We left about an hour and a half later.”

Miller’s son Skyler was able to arrive on scene and secure the house after first responders left the scene. The building is part of old U.S. ranger station, Holzworth said.

Andy Miller, who is currently serving as the chair of the planning commission in Fraser, happens to be on a trip to Sitka, Alaska this week. While he won’t be home to survey the damage until Sept. 22, he spoke with Sky-Hi News from the field.

“It’s good to be friendly with your neighbors because they could save your house one day,” he said. “Jeremy was the hero.”

Miller served on the board of trustees from 2010 to 2018.

When asked how these types of fires can be avoided, Holzworth offered a few practical suggestions.

“I certainly suggest taking a look at older equipment, older gas stoves and appliances,” he said. “Definitely check your flexible connections that hook up to gas line. If they’re old and looking like they’ve been there a along time, it might be worth swapping them out.

“I would suggest everyone know where the gas shutoff is on their house. Either have a plumber come in a check it or, if you think you have a leak, call the fire department or Xcel Energy. The odor of mercaptan they put in it makes you know to pay attention. If you smell if, you need to find out what’s going on.”