GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. --
KREX, the first television station to begin broadcasting in Grand Junction, back in the '50s, was destroyed in an early-morning fire Sunday.
No one was injured in the fire, which was first reported around 8:45 a.m.
TV reporters Lauren Dirks and Michele Fralick and three other employees were in the basement of the station when a man they didn't know pounded on the front door and told them the building was on fire. The reporters told the Grand Junction Sentinel that they were unaware of the fire until then.
The Grand Junction fire department said the fire may have started in the basement of the building.
The station has been through several remodels that limited firefighters mobility inside the building.
Officials said several smoke explosions forced freighters outside where they battled the blaze until it was under control around 11 a.m.
The station's general manager, Ron Tillery, believes all his business records and broadcast logs were lost, as well as some of the broadcast equipment.
"We have a lot of teary eyes and a lot of shock," Tillery said.
Losses are estimated around $6 million.
Smoke could be seen billowing out of the building as three fire trucks tried to put out the flames.
"We are heartbroken to see this happen," Tillery said.
Station officials said they would try to find a way to broadcast the AFC Championship game through KREX's affiliate FOX. KREX is a CBS affiliate.
The Grand Junction Sentinel reported four people were in the building when the fire started, but all got out safely.
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