Community Gathers To Remember 2-Year-Old Killed In Mobile Home Fire
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Balloons, candles and stuffed animals remain as a community memorial after an emotional vigil to remember a toddler killed in a home fire.
"He was a true angel," said one neighbor.
More than 100 neighbors, police and firefighters gathered to remember Alex who died inside a burning mobile home on Strawberry Way in Boulder.
"The most beautiful eyes and just a smile that would illuminate the neighborhood," said neighbor Harmony Johnson.
Alex's mother and brother managed to escape the intense flames but were hurt. They are recovering.
Some neighbors tried to rescue the toddler.
Many in the Boulder Meadows community said they wish they had been able to do more, but the flames were just too hot, forcing them back, even as the toddler's mother yelled for him inside.
"It was too hot to get in. The smoke was coming fast, dark clouds coming fast," neighbor Jesus Luna said.
Investigators said they didn't find smoke detectors in the home's debris located in the 4900 block of 19th Street.
"We couldn't find any evidence of any working smoke alarm which is probably the first line of defense for every home," said Boulder Fire Chief Michael Calderazzo.
What caused the fire is unknown but fire officials said it doesn't appear to be suspicious.
Calderazzo also addressed concerns that it took firefighters 30 minutes to respond.
"Seven minutes and 55 seconds from the moment the call came in to the moment the first fire unit got there," said Calderazzo. "It probably felt like 30 minutes, it usually does when an emergency is occurring."
Community members have set up a Go Fund Me campaign to help the family.
