No Evidence of Arson in Thornton Fire That Prompted Evacuations

Authorities say the blaze started in a school playground's mulch bed, with no signs of suspicious activity.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:19pm

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The Thornton Fire Department has determined that the cause of a fire on February 25th that destroyed nearly 150 vehicles and prompted evacuations in the area is still undetermined, but there is no evidence it was intentionally set. Surveillance footage showed the fire starting in the mulch bed of a school playground, with no indication of suspicious activity.

Why it matters

Fires that prompt large-scale evacuations and significant property damage are concerning for the local community, so determining the cause is important to understand what happened and whether any preventative measures can be taken. The lack of evidence of arson helps alleviate fears that the fire was a deliberate criminal act.

The details

The fire started around 11:30 am on February 25th in the area of 84th Avenue and Huron Street, north of Pinnacle School. About 100-150 firefighters from multiple agencies responded, and Pinnacle High School, nearby businesses, and neighborhoods to the northeast were evacuated. While homes were saved, a nearby business, Rol Race Motorsports, suffered significant losses with 148 vehicles on the lot destroyed.

  • The fire started around 11:30 am on February 25th.
  • Firefighters responded to the fire that afternoon.

The players

Thornton Fire Department

The fire department that responded to and investigated the fire.

Jason Rol

The owner of car restoration company Rol Race Motorsports, which suffered significant losses with 148 vehicles destroyed in the fire.

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What they’re saying

“While homes were saved, a nearby business suffered significant losses.”

— Jason Rol, Owner, Rol Race Motorsports (9NEWS)

What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire, though they have ruled out arson as a possibility.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of fire prevention and preparedness, as well as the need for communities to be resilient in the face of unexpected emergencies that can cause significant property damage and disruption.