A former firefighter was able to knock down flames on the roof of a Niwot business until fire crews arrived on scene Wednesday afternoon, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office announced in a news release that the former firefighter, whose named was not released, owns the building at 6964 N. 79th St., and was at the location when the fire was reported on the roof of Niwot Veterinary Clinic shortly after 2:30 p.m. Fire crews from Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Boulder Rural Fire and Rocky Mountain Fire responded to the scene. The fire remains under investigation but appears to have been caused by exposed electrical heat tape used to keep snow off the roof.