But the tundra was very dry in 2007 and fire-fueling winds kicked up the blaze.

CNN: Next global warming worry: Thawing tundra

Firefighters have dropped 4, 100 gallons of fire retardant on the blaze, which was fueled by high winds and dry conditions, officials said.

CNN: Family films frantic escape from Colorado wildfire

The fire service said the workers tried and failed to extinguish the blaze and it spread behind the external cladding "extremely quickly due to the dry nature of the material".

BBC: The damage to the roof