Two bodies have been found in the Colorado Springs apartment complex that burned Tuesday. Authorities said it is now being investigated as a homicide case with one arrest made today.
Authorities arrested Gene Johnson, 36, and charged him on suspicion of first-degree murder.
The bodies were found sometime today, after investigators entered the charred, three-story building that burned for more than 24 hours Tuesday and today.
Colorado Springs Fire Marshall Brett Lacey said at a 4 p.m. news conference that investigators have searched about 70 percent of the building.
“That search is very cursory,” he said. “It’s only our first glimpse of all the portions of the structure we can get into to look for victims.
“We have two victims in the fire so far. This now becomes a police matter and a homicide case. Control of the investigation will be transferred to the Colorado Springs Police Department,” Lacey said.
More than a dozen residents of the Castle West Apartments in Colorado Springs still remain unaccounted for.
Portions of the 135-unit brick building continued to flare up into flames more than 36 hours after the fire started.
“We still have a couple of hot spots that keep re-igniting on us,” said Lt. Jeff Sievers, spokesman for the Colorado Springs Fire Department. “There are some very small portions we’ve had access into. But most of it is still pretty unsafe.”
Three aerial-ladder fire trucks remain at the scene. Some flames are still visible, along with massive plumes of smoke still escaping from the three-story structure. At least one-third of the building’s roof collapsed Tuesday at the height of the fire.
The area became covered with ice from the massive amount of water that was sprayed on the fire. Icicles were hanging from parts of the roof and from many of the balconies. City crews this morning were spreading sand over the high-traffic areas to prevent slips and falls.
The American Red Cross is asking all of the apartments’ residents to call (719) 632-3563 to register on a master list in an effort to get a complete count of everyone in the building. So far, the occupants of 91 apartments have been accounted for, the Red Cross said. The building had 14 vacant units when the fire broke out, the fire department said Tuesday.
Paul Koch of the Red Cross said enough “in-kind” donations of blankets and clothing have been received. He said cash donations are needed “to help people get back on their feet quickly.” Koch said the Red Cross has handed out $18,000 in donations since the fire, and has received $12,000 from donors.
Monetary donations can be mailed to American Red Cross, Pikes Peak Chapter, 1040 South Eighth St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
