2 Dead In Fire At Arvada Residential Group Home
ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) – Two people died in a deadly fire that tore through an assisted living home for people with disabilities.
The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the home on the corner of Robb Street and Allendale Drive, just across the street from Arvada West High School.
Investigators were working to determine what caused the fire.
One devastated neighbor said he woke up to a loud boom, looked outside, and saw the house engulfed in flames.
"It's tragic. It's sad," said Bobby Bissell, another neighbor who lives right next door.
Bissell said that flames pouring out the front of the house spread quickly to the back of it.
"That's a scary thing," said Bissell. "Being right next door, it was scary for us."
Firefighters received the call from a resident inside the home who woke up to the sound of a smoke alarm.
"It was from a resident inside the home that let us know that there was a fire," said Deanna Harrington, Deputy Fire Marshall with Arvada Fire Protection District. "So when we arrived on scene, we were aware that there were some residents inside that needed to have some help getting evacuated."
Harrington said that seven people were in the home when the fire started. Neighbors said the house served as a group home for disabled adults.
"Fire can move very quickly," said Harrington. "And this fire occurred at 1:30 in the morning when people were sleeping."
First responders rushed six people to the hospital. Two of them died.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of those victims," said Harrington.
Police and fire investigators worked into the afternoon to search for the cause.
Authorities had not yet released the identities of the two who died.
They also were not able to say whether the deceased were residents of the group home, or possibly their caretakers.
Statement from Parker Personal Care Homes, Inc.
Parker Personal Care Homes, Inc. and our entire staff send our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family and friends of those affected by the tragedy that occurred in one of our adult foster homes/host homes in Arvada this morning.
The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority, and we are working diligently with fire personnel and other officials to thoroughly investigate this incident.
We would also like to send out a heart-felt thanks to the Arvada Fire Protection District, the City of Arvada Police Department, the American Red Cross, friends and neighbors, and all medical professionals who have assisted us throughout this tragedy.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
