UPDATE: Fire destroys dozens of mobile homes, still smoldering Thursday morning

Dozens of used mobile homes that are at the center of an apparent property dispute went up in flames Wednesday afternoon in eastern El Paso County.

The Ellicott Fire Department is estimating that 50 mobile homes were destroyed in the blaze.

Assistant chief Christy Malone said the fire was still smoldering at 10:30 Thursday morning. She said there was still concern that some of the "hot spots" could flare up again. Malone expects the fire department to continue wetting down these spots through Thursday and possibly into Friday.

The fire near Highway 94 and North Ellicott Highway sent up a thick black plume of smoke visible from Colorado Springs until dark.

Highway 94 reopened Thursday morning after being closed for hours.

No cause had been determined, although landowner Chuck Howarth said he was told by someone at the business that some workers using a blow torch to take apart a trailer may have started the blaze.

Malone confirmed the possible cause but said an investigation is ongoing.

There also were reports that a meth lab was housed on the site and firefighters at one point were advised to back away from trailers.

Area residents identifed the business as Riley's Mobile Home Sales, 23210 Highway 94, occupying a sprawling storage lot filled with hundreds of vacant trailer homes for sale.

Lance Casteel arrived at the scene after he got a call from friends. He said his uncle had turned the mobile home business over to him and he sold the business a couple of years ago.

However, he said, the buyer didn't make payments and Casteel said he was suing to get it back.

Howarth, who owns the land, acknowledged the dispute but said who actually owns the mobile homes is debateable.

Firefighters and trucks from at least 10 fire departments responded to the fire, including crews from Tri-County, Ellicott, Hanover, Falcon, Limon, Colorado Springs, Black Forest, Calhan, Westcott and Stratmoor Hills.  Colorado Springs Utilities also responded to supply water.

El Paso County wildland fire crews were monitoring the fire, said El Paso County sheriff's spokeswoman Lt. Lari Sevene.

Stay with gazette.com for more information as it becomes available.