Fire under control at site of future Air Force Academy hotel

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Firefighters from two agencies got a fire at a building site under control Monday morning.

Crews from both Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy responded just outside the academy’s north gate at 6:20 a.m. The fire was at the future Air Force Academy hotel and convention center.

#ColoradoSpringsFire is on scene of a #workingstructurefire at 8989 Northgate - USAFA Hotel and Convention Center that is under construction.

Air Force Academy crews responding with CSFD crews.

Be cautious of emergency crews responding. #csfd
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) September 18, 2023

The fire response shut down the north gate for nearly two hours during the Monday morning commute.

UPDATE from @CSFDPIO: Fire on 4th floor of building around 6:10am. Cause under investigating. No injuries. @KKTV11News pic.twitter.com/vJzINQz2px
— Kasia Kerridge (@KasiaKerridgeTV) September 18, 2023

At 8:10 a.m., the academy said the north gate has reopened, but only to inbound traffic.

The academy broke ground on the project last year, slated to open next year as a 57-acre complex at the north entrance. Once completed, it will include the new AFA visitor center and a hotel and conference center, as well as commercial retail and office space. The facility will be accessible by the general public; the visitor center has been designated an official Colorado Welcome Center. It’s expected to be open in 2024. Read previous coverage by 11 News here and here.

This is a developing story; keep checking back for updates.