ANTONITO — Cano’s Castle, the architectural sentinel that rises above the town of Antonito was damaged in an early morning fire on Jan. 13.  

The gleaming towers at the landmark were undamaged. The complex, made of natural and recycled material is the home and work of Dominic “Cano” Espinoza. 

Espinoza and two of his dogs were unharmed in the blaze. 

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Antonito Fire Department Chief Paul Duran told Valley Publishing the fire started at about 12:30 a.m. He said the cause of the fire was most likely from a wood stove and that this fire was in the same part of the building that caught fire about eight or 10 years ago. 

There will not be an investigation into the fire unless Espinoza requests one according to Duran. 

A longtime friend of Espinoza who was on-scene comforting him offered that Espinoza is “a really gentle man who had a really good view from his home. 

“Everybody knows Cano, everybody loves Cano. This is a sad loss to a good man,” said the acquaintance. 

Fire Chief Duran was thankful for the assistance he received from the fire crews in Romeo, Manassa and La Jara. Duran stressed the importance of the mutual aid agreements that enabled the nearby crews to respond. 

Espinoza declined to speak with Valley Publishing.