Victims Of Fatal Fire At Home For Disabled ID'd As Adult Man, 4-Year-Old Girl
ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) - The Jefferson County Coroner's Office confirmed that the two people killed in a fire at a home for the developmentally disabled were a 39-year-old man and 4-year-old girl.
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.
When the fire broke out seven people were inside. Six of them were taken to the hospital where the two people died. The names of the victims haven't been released.
"When they arrived they were met with a lot of fire. With this being something they met at 1:30 a.m. it woke the occupants up," said Deanna Harrington, Deputy Fire Marshall with Arvada Fire Protection District.
Before firefighters could work to put out the flames they had to rescue at least one person.
"They had reports of parties that were still inside the house and that's the first objective -- to get everyone rescued and out of the structure," Harrington said.
The home is now a total loss.
Late into the evening fire and arson investigators worked to find out how the fire started and what helped it grow.
"With every fire we're thorough in determining that cause and origin and we're doing the same here," Harrington said.
The home is owned by Parker Personal Care Homes, Inc. The company's website indicates it's involved in numerous programs for developmentally disabled adults, including host homes which are described as for "individuals who require verbal and/or physical assistance with daily needs."
Authorities have not released any information on any of the occupants of the house.
It's not yet known how many people with disabilities may have been in the house. Some of the families who needed to be notified are out of state.
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.
