Despite tragic events of a Jan. 2 commercial fire, members of the seven businesses at 6475 Wadsworth Blvd. are rallying in aid and support.
“We’re devastated by the loss of John, the man upstairs,” Robert Wolf, owner of Wolf Law, said after hearing of the death of John Rutter, an addictions counselor with Creative Treatment Options, a substance abuse treatment center that was located on the third floor. “We’re all kind of a community in there so we help each other out.”
The Arvada Fire Protection District is still investigating the cause of the commercial fire, which left two injured and Rutter dead. It began shortly before 10 a.m. Jan. 2 in the Scenic Heights Professional Building.
Wolf Law, Creative Treatment Options, KTS Tech II, a tanning salon, Lange Land Surveys and a medical practice were located in the building.
Wolf, who was not on scene that day and who is now operating at GoFigure Accounting at 7607 Ralston Road and out of his home, said the fire was devastating for these small businesses.
“We were not a tight-knit group — but we certainly look out for each other,” owner of Creative Treatment Options, Joyce Smith said. She has since offered up space in Creative Treatment Options’ temporary location at 1410 Vance St. in Lakewood to Wolf for his practice, should he need it.
Businesses were allowed back into the building on Jan. 8 to retrieve any salvageable property.
Even as firefighting crews from Arvada, Westminster and Adams County departments battled the fire well into the afternoon on Jan. 2, nearby businesses, community organizations and Scenic Heights business owners started to come together. Sportline, a neighboring sports retail store, offered the use of its parking lot and conference rooms for Arvada police and fire personnel, media press conferences and tenant meetings with the building’s business owners.
Starbucks and the Salvation Army popped by to deliver fresh coffee and food to fire crews who fought the fire, and helped with investigating the scene last week.