Longmont Authorities Investigating Friday Plane Fire as Potential Arson

Longmont authorities are investigating a potential arson after a plane was destroyed in a fire Friday night at Vance Brand Municipal Airport.

According to Longmont police Sgt. Tim Miller, several private plane owners were at the airport, 229 Airport Road, when they noticed flames and called authorities around 5:30 p.m. The plane was grounded and no one was inside it when the blaze began. Miller said there are no known injuries at this time.

The Longmont Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire in about 20 minutes. The single-engine, Piper plane cost roughly $40,000. After the flames were put out, all that remained were charred pieces.

“I’m looking at just the shell of a plane right now,” Miller said.

Miller said the incident is being investigated as an arson, although that is standard protocol given that the cause of the fire is not yet known.

“Right now is kind of unknown why it suddenly caught on fire,” Miller said.

The burning plane was near several other planes, which were moved. No other planes were damaged during the incident, Miller said.

Investigators from the Longmont police and Longmont Fire Department will continue to investigate. The owner of the plane was contacted and airport security footage will be reviewed. The plane was parked near gate 3, where other private plane owners keep their aircraft. An access code is needed to get to inside the secure area.

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