CENTRAL CITY – A piece of Central City's history was lost in flames on the morning of March 16, 2025, as a structure fire at 138 Spring Street destroyed the historic Hawley Merchandise building. 

This marks the second fire in the city this year, raising concerns about fire safety. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire was successfully extinguished. The cause remains under investigation.

The involved structure was a large multi-story masonry and metal building with a metal roof. Its facade prominently displayed the words “The Hawley Mdse. CO.” 

When firefighters arrived, the structure appeared fully engulfed, with large flames erupting from a hole in the metal roof.

According to the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies arrived on the scene shortly after the call and observed heavy smoke and flames consuming the upper portion of the structure. Fire crews worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.

Law enforcement established a perimeter around the fire while Colorado State Patrol and Black Hawk Police assisted with scene security. Roads in the immediate area were closed for public safety, and Xcel Energy shut off power and gas as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.

Firefighters from Central City Fire, with mutual aid from Black Hawk Fire and Clear Creek Fire, worked swiftly to contain the flames. 

Photos from the scene show a Clear Creek Fire truck laying hose as teams battled the blaze. Because of firefighting efforts, the water system servicing Gold Mountain Village Apartments and the KOA Campground was temporarily shut off. It was later restored once the fire was under control.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that no evidence of accelerants or suspicious materials were found at the scene, supporting the theory that the fire was accidental. 

However, investigators are continuing to review security footage and are interviewing possible witnesses to determine the sequence of events leading up to the fire.

Later that afternoon, deputies met with the property manager, who stated that the building had been secured with padlocks two weeks prior. Authorities also obtained contact information for the property owner for further investigation. 

Once the fire was fully extinguished, around 3:20 p.m., and the area deemed safe, Central City Fire assisted in reopening Spring Street and lifting road closures

This fire follows the tragic February 12 blaze at Gold Mountain Village Apartments, which resulted in the death of one resident and the displacement of multiple families.

The historic building had stood for nearly 150 years. Built in 1877 and expanded in 1898, it was originally used by the Hawley Merchandise Company, a cornerstone of Central City’s commercial history. 

Ironically, historical records from 1879 detail another small fire at the same location, extinguished before it could cause major damage. Historical data was provided by resident Eric Miller, history buff and president of the Gilpin Arts Association.

During the most recent Central City Council meeting, public sentiment aligned with the idea that the fire may have been started by a vagrant attempting to stay warm inside the abandoned building.

Now, as firefighters and investigators sift through the aftermath, the echoes of history feel unsettlingly familiar. In a community rich with heritage, every structure lost to fire erases another chapter of the past.

Miller summed up the community’s gratitude for the emergency responders, saying, “Thank you Central, Black Hawk, and Clear Creek Fire Departments. This could have been much worse without their valiant efforts.”

As Central City moves forward, officials and residents alike will be watching closely. Meanwhile, investigators continue their work, searching for answers that could bring much-needed peace of mind to a town on edge.