Smoke and flames rise from the site of a burning building, in Denver, Colorado, US, Jan. 2, 2026, in this still image obtained from a social media video, video taken behind glass. Photo: X @DaLitiGator/via REUTERS

The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Denver, Colorado, is collecting items “of appreciation” to give to local fire stations that contained a massive fire in the area on Friday night that forced the JCC to temporarily close for several days.

The Jewish nonprofit organization has set up collection bins in its lobby and is also sponsoring fresh challahs for local fire crews who battled the fire that started at a nearby apartment complex under construction. Stephanie Herm, the JCC’s chief operating officer, told ABC’s Denver 7 the JCC is asking community members to donate snacks, beverages, and cards for local firefighters.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) announced on Tuesday that its National Response Team (NRT) has been deployed to help investigate the origin and cause of Friday’s five-alarm fire at the Harker Heights Apartments under construction near Leetsdale Drive and South Forest Street. The fire burned for several days, forcing evacuations of homes and businesses, power outages, and street closures. One firefighter was injured, according to an ATF press release.

“The NRT is bringing federal resources and expertise to this complex investigation,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Ashbridge. “It is a top priority for us because we understand the immense challenges this fire has created for residents and businesses.”

A total of 156 firefighters from several stations in the area worked to contain the inferno under “heavy fire conditions” due to the stage of construction, which helped the blaze spread quickly, the Denver Fire Department said in a Facebook post. The apartment complex, which was set to open in May, was fully engulfed in flames. The siding of a nearby home was partially melted from the heat, according to local reports, but no other damage to businesses, residences, or casualties has been reported.

The JCC closed shortly after the fire broke out on Friday and stayed closed through the weekend. It has since reopened, according to its website.

“We made the difficult decision to close both Saturday and Sunday because of the air quality and inside the building smelled like campfire,” Herm told CBS News. “When I was on site Saturday, going to and from the car was very difficult to breathe.”

The Denver Fire Department is asking anymore who wants to share a video or information about the fire to use their tip line by calling or texting 720-672-5101.