Deadly Colorado Springs Motel Fire Probe Will Take Time
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A second child rescued from a fire in a Colorado Springs motel room has died, police said Monday.
A 2-year-old girl died after being pulled from her family's basement room at the Ranch Motel on Saturday and police announced the death of her 4-year-old brother on Monday. Their mother and a 10-year-old brother were also injured in the fire at the Ranch Motel. The mother was in critical condition on Monday and the boy was in stable condition, police spokeswoman Lt. Catherine Buckley said.
Autopsies on the two children were planned Monday.
The investigation into the fire is expected to be lengthy due to the extent of damage from the fire, Buckley said. She also said items recovered from the fire will need to be tested in a laboratory but would not elaborate on what items would be reviewed.
The mother and her three children, who have not been publicly identified, were trapped inside their room when firefighters arrived. All four were rescued within seven minutes and were in critical condition at the time, fire department spokesman Capt. Steven Oswald said.
A man was also treated for smoke inhalation but it was not clear if he had also been in the room or had attempted to go inside, Oswald said.
The motel is one of several older motels on U.S. 85 -- North Nevada Avenue -- that used to cater to passing travelers and now mostly provide housing to local residents who need a long-term place to stay.
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