Family Loses Mother, Another Critically Injured In Deadly House Fire
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Just one day after losing their mother in a house fire, the Vargas family is standing vigil beside a second victim, a son and brother, who was critically injured in the fire.
The fire started in a home along 7th Avenue on Wednesday morning and quickly spread to two other houses.
It's not clear how much warning the residents inside the homes that burned had. Seven people were in one of the homes, and one of them, the mother of the family who lived there, didn't survive.
John Vargas says his family has very difficult decisions to make about their 32-year old son Gabe who has life-threatening injuries. The family will monitor Gabe from the hospital to determine the next steps for his heath. They say he is on life support.
Early Wednesday morning, fire ravaged the Vargas family home along 7th Avenue near Peoria Street in Aurora. The reality of what happened is now setting in for neighbors like Judy Bronstetter.
"As I was watching this whole tragedy unfold, I just kept thinking... God help them and what can I do?" asked Judy Bronstetter.
Her way of helping is starting a Gofundme page for the Vargas family. John and Janelle Vargas lived at their home with the couple's four adult sons: Gabe, Leo, Lawrence and Gerald. Gerald's girlfriend was also there when the fire happened.
The family say they not only lost their mother, 58-year old Janelle, but Gabe remains in critical condition.
Leo posted a message on his Facebook page saying, "Toughest day of my life. Please keep my mom and brother Gabe in your thoughts and prayers. R.I.P. Mom"
Friends say Gabe was trying to help his mom during the fire.
"He was banging on the door trying to get mom," says Bronstetter. "She was in the shower."
Once paramedics got Gabe out of the house, neighbors say they worked on him frantically, conducting chest compressions or CPR.
Aurora Fire Rescue say they are still investigating the blaze and how it began.
Bronstetter says she's praying for the family and has them in her thoughts. "I'm sorry for their loss."
Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.
