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Fire guts Freaky's Tattoo Parlor

By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 28, 2008 at 1 a.m.
Updated March 28, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.

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Denver firefighters clean up after putting out a fire at Broadway and Ellsworth.

Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky

Denver firefighters clean up after putting out a fire at Broadway and Ellsworth.

Denver fireman Bobby Mako, of Engine Company 1 coughs after fighting a two-alarm fire at Broadway and Ellsworth in Denver early this morning. The fire damaged Freaky's Tattoo Parlor, background, and poured smoke into apartments on the floors above in the Broadway Apts.

Photo by Andy Piper, Rocky Mountain News

Denver fireman Bobby Mako, of Engine Company 1 coughs after fighting a two-alarm fire at Broadway and Ellsworth in Denver early this morning. The fire damaged Freaky's Tattoo Parlor, background, and poured smoke into apartments on the floors above in the Broadway Apts.

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Dozens of apartment residents were evacuated and four people were displaced by a fire at a tattoo shop on Broadway near Ellsworth Avenue late Thursday night.

Residents of the 38 units of the Broadway Apartments above the shop were evacuated and some who had to be rescued by ladder trucks.

The first call came around 11:12 p.m. Thursday of a blaze at Freaky's Tattoo and Body Piercings, at 2 Broadway.

"There were heavy flames from the roof of the building," said Phil Champagne, spokesman for Denver Fire.

"The fire spread very quickly, with two floors having structural damage."

"People were assisted in the evacuation," said Champagne. "No one was hurt, but a couple of animals were."

Two cats were killed in the blaze, and a third cat was rescued.

The blaze took about 35 to 40 minutes to extinguish, with the first floor tattoo shop completely destroyed.

"It was a heavy, heavy fire," said Champagne.

Four apartment units had heavy smoke damage, displacing their residents.

Champagne said other residents should be able to return to their homes early this morning.

The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.

Southbound traffic on Broadway was diverted and four blocks were cordoned off.

Comments

  • March 28, 2008

    1:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    6BroadwayResident writes:

    I live in the apartment building. No one was rescued by ladder trucks. There were no heavy flames on the top roof, though there is extensive smoke damage throughout most apartments. I live on the 4th floor and my apartment is currently filled with smoke, I can see from the road.

  • March 28, 2008

    3:32 a.m.

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    forwhatitis writes:

    Perhaps Phil Champagne went to the Hillary Clinton School of Embellishment. Hahahaha....

  • March 28, 2008

    8:16 a.m.

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    DahmersCookbook writes:

    The delicious aroma beckoned the fuzz. The firefighters worked up A monster appetite. Though tragic, everyone went home with A 'Zen' feeling about them.

  • March 28, 2008

    8:58 a.m.

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    Contempt_for_Texas writes:

    I bet that building sees at least that much smoke on a daily basis.

  • March 28, 2008

    9:41 a.m.

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    Bing987 writes:

    I'll bet those flames would make a cool tattoo.

  • March 28, 2008

    10:39 a.m.

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    LOUIE writes:

    Sad to see all those crack pipes and the shelves full of drug paraphenalia burn up; it was a great full service vendor for all those hard to find accessories. Maybe when they rebuild it, they can build it closer to the huge open air drug market at the civic center park, in between the capitol and the courthouse. Politicians, drugs, prostitution, conventions, and the crackpipe vendors, all in one nice, neat, little package downtown. I am so upset, I am so going to miss them.

  • March 28, 2008

    11:41 a.m.

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    jmkratt writes:

    Louie - You are a fool and you have never been inside Freaky's. Thank you for your ignorance.

  • March 28, 2008

    12:03 p.m.

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    LOUIE writes:

    Thanks for the insult, glad my comment raised your ire. Yes, I've been to Freaky's, and no, I am not a fan of drug accessories being openly sold to the public without an age restriction at minimum. It's like Kitty's theatre, glad to see it gone. It was a legal trade as well; doesn't mean I care for it. Don't worry, you'll find another place to get your glass rock pipes!

  • March 28, 2008

    12:28 p.m.

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    MissSio writes:

    You don't go to freaky's for drug paraphernalia, you go there for cheap, badly-done tattoos and some awesome stickers. Knowing how oldschool tattoo artists can be, it's possible another pissed off artist did this... just like back in the day.

  • March 28, 2008

    12:42 p.m.

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    MissSio writes:

    I don't think LOUIE is the ignorant one on this board. NotChasB, you do know that between autoclaves and the more common disposable one-time-use needles, tattooing is a LOT more sanitary than say, the Piercing Pagoda at the mall, or most hospitals these days. When you mix tattooing in with incense, paraphenalia, and the general shopping public, it starts to take on the stereotypical sleazy tat parlor feel. That's not to say it IS, but that it gives that impression, hence my opinion on how this started.

    Tattooing has come WAY past the "anchor on the arm while smoking" place it used to be in, it's an amazing art form, full of INCREDIBLE artists. It's also mainstream now, looking at TLC with Miami and LA Ink. Now those are artists. Cory and Kat Von D in LA do some of the most amazing art I've ever seen, and on one of the more difficult mediums out there, humans.

    Don't mix the majority in with the minority that everyone seems to think is the norm. Most artists are just that, and take their work VERY seriously.

  • March 28, 2008

    1:09 p.m.

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    LOUIE writes:

    Some of the finest detailed tattoo work I ever saw came out of America's prisons. I have seen such labor intense work that it is extremely hard to find that degree of talent in the freeworld. It's not to say it can't be found, it's rare though.

  • March 28, 2008

    1:45 p.m.

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    LOUIE writes:

    With Kitty's and Freakys gone where will the poor crackheads and perverts congregate? Sorry to hurt these poor tolerant, liberals feelings. I like the sporting lip blisters on crackheads, I think perverts cruising all hours of the night around one block looking to hook up is cool; yeah I might try being a tolerant liberal, but then whose going to keep them in check? However, I think I'd rather hook up with something a little more classier than a crack pipe, or a filthy sleaze pit like Kitty's.

  • March 28, 2008

    1:52 p.m.

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    Shaupeen writes:

    Fire destroys smoke shop; only seeds and stems left.

  • March 28, 2008

    1:55 p.m.

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    MeAgainstMachine writes:

    LOUIE - Why have you visited a Freaky's shop if you feel the way you do? I'm just curious why someone would share an opinion such as your's after disclosing the fact that you've been in one.

  • March 28, 2008

    2:29 p.m.

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    happymike44 writes:

    Well this really bites I have tattoos I am a law abiding individual.When people see my tatoos they usually start with did you get those in prson.These people are true masters of a art.To all of you who think these places breed crime and hookers your wrong.The majority of people who get tattoos are regular folks like you and me.My tattoos are my pride and each one I have reminds me of a place in my life.To freakys please don't close up your shop okay.Thanks from a tat fan.

  • March 28, 2008

    2:51 p.m.

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    LOUIE writes:

    I was in Freaky's about a year ago. I didn't care for the drug kits, crack pipes, and the fact they were being vended openly regardless of the age of the customer. Tattooing is cool, you must be 18. As long as it's sterile, and no health code violations, I am fine with that. However, selling drug paraphenalia to the public to facilitate illegal drug usage is a problem. There are many things that are legal; I don't always agree with something just because it's legal. Drugs destroy too many lives. Pot is one thing, but crack pipes? Just because you sell the device of introduction and not the drug itself doesn't absolve you of being part of the problem. You are facilitating the problem. No juveniles should be allowed in a store that openly displays and sells drug paraphenalia. Freaky's not only facilitated the drug abuser, they derived a major portion of thier revenue from the sale of instruments expressly made for drug consumption. Any kid was allowed into Freaky's to view and make purchases with the acception of tobacco products and tattoos. Selling crack pipes is not a business I care for in any neighborhood. Freaky's only conscience was the dollar bill, thus I really lack a conscience when it comes to seeing them out of the business of selling drug paraphenalia. Being a minority or majority opinion is not important to me; standing up and saying what I truly believe should be more valuable to even those who like yourself oppose me and rightfully so. I invite your opposing viewpoint, it is equally as valueable. I learn a lot from the dissenting opinions, it's called dialog. I won't call you a fool or say your ignorant, I want to hear your honest dissent, it's valueable. Conservative, liberal, democrat, republican, gay, straight, christian, athiest, etc., we all make up the fabric of America. Dialog without personal attacks is very important. I can play off a label or a name, but dialog with those who oppose my viewpoint I believe is very important. Thus I will apologize if ever my attack is on your person and not the issue. I did not care for some of the merchandise Freaky's sold in relation to the illegal drug industry and those whose lives are destroyed by thier use. I have even less to say about those profiting from anothers addiction by selling the devices he requires to destroy his life with. If it only impacted the addict that's one thing, but society as a whole is paying one hell of a price for his affliction.

  • March 28, 2008

    3:18 p.m.

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    Steph writes:

    I've never seen a crack pipe at any Freakies. Have you guys actually seen them being sold there or are you just talking about something you know nothing about?

  • March 28, 2008

    3:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MeAgainstMachine writes:

    LOUIE - I'm all for the dialogue. I hope you don't feel that I attacked you. In terms of cracks pipes, I've never seen them in the Freaky's that I've been in (Leetsdale just south of Alemeda). However, I won't dispute that they do sell bulk glass cylinders and those lame rose in glass tube novelty items, which get the ends broken off and turned into pipes used for smoking meth. I know that they also sell "bullets" with are little one-hitter type instruments for snorting any poison of choice. I do think that it is way out of line for these products to be sold openly or legally. Glass cylinders can be bought at almost any science supply store though. As for the age thing, I got carded the first time I bought a glass piece used for smoking...well you know. I don't condone the use of anything other than MJ, whether it is natural or not.

  • March 28, 2008

    4:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Yes, Steph, they had crack pipes, weed pipes, screens, even had a machine that enhanced the effect of your pot, which I though was bogus. Had a little outfit that came in a fancy case for your cocaine amusement. Had a cute little bottle that had the spoon attached so you could dip and sniff. I guess it could be used as a salt or pepper dispenser, but generally speaking it was for cocaine. Likewise, the little mirror would be great for puting on your makeup, but generally speaking that and the razor blade along with the little steel straw are used for cocaine. It was so cute in the little leather case, what a great gift to give your kid. I even had a blast laughing with the clerk about all the wonderful legal uses the paraphenalia they sold could be used for. Freaky's is nothing new, they been selling "gifts" as long as I can remember along with other outfits like Home Sweet Home.

  • March 28, 2008

    4:04 p.m.

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    Gemini79 writes:

    I heart Freaky's. RIP. Why oh why!!

  • March 28, 2008

    4:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    MeAgainstMachine, had a liquor/ convenience store selling the rose tubes, and the buyer would go get the brillo pads for a filter. The owner of the store who is my friend says I have to watch who ever buys these tubes, cause they're going to try and rip me off. I didn't know at the time what he meant so I asked. He explained the only ones who buy them are the crackheads. The bullets Freaky's sold forever. The kit in the leather case got me, the blade and the straw were silver plated and it looked like a rich man's kit. I haven't been there in a little over a year, to be fair, perhaps they removed these things or no longer carry them. I could care less about pot, but why cater to drugs? I like everyone have friends who do a lot of drugs, but it's sad in a way. One of my fishing pals has a medicinal pot habit, he smokes in his home openly in front of his 4 children. When I come over with my 11 year old daughter, he knows to put it out or risk our friendship. It's legal for him to have and use in his own home I guess even with young children present. Because something is legal doesn't mean I'll agree to it. Freaky's ran/ runs a legal business, do I like everything Freaky's sells? No, there are things that when I was last there I disagree with, but were within the legal parameters of the law. So, I like all people have a choice.