Fire burning at Bluff Lake Nature Center Tuesday night. Courtesy: Central Park Community Watch FB

The flames from a fire at the Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver could be seen for miles. The 5.5-acre fire brought out firefighters from both Denver and Aurora late March 31st.

Fire investigators were back at the site at 11255 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. in the morning of  April 1st to try to determine the cause of the blaze, which ripped through cattails by the lake. Several trees were also burned and later were cut down by crews.

Damage from the fire at BLNC.

Rachel Hutchens, executive director of Bluff Lake, said the fire started to the south of the lake and worked its way around the east side toward the boardwalk where firefighters fought the blaze.

She said the cattails burned hot and high and it was difficult for a board member who was at the scene to see what was happening and where through the smoke and flames.

Hutchens said the center’s new headquarters building—which was not damaged—made a significant difference in helping manage the situation, allowing staff to be on site and business to operate as usual.

Fire at BLNC burned up to the boardwalk.

The building’s security cameras captured where the fire started, but now how it started, she said. The video recording has been given to Denver Fire.

Wednesday morning, while fire investigators flew a drone overhead, students arrived for a field trip. Birder George Ho, a Front Porch contributor, arrived with camera in hand, watching swallows fly overhead as he mused about the greenery that would soon emerge in the fire zone.

Hutchens said Denver Fire Station 26 has previously trained at the nature center and firefighters have access to all locked entrances.

The wildlife area, which sees about 100,000 visitors a year, is in the middle of an urban area.