Georgetown – The families of five men killed in an underground fire at a hydroelectric plant met Thursday with Gov. Bill Ritter and were promised a “thorough and competent” investigation.
Ritter, who also visited the entrance of the 4,000-foot-long water tunnel where the men perished, said the family members who had come to Georgetown were disconsolate but expressed no anger at the efforts to save their loved ones.
Ritter declined to discuss whether the early stages of the probe have revealed anything that should have been done differently in terms of worker safety or in the rescue effort.
“The meeting was obviously a very sad and somber meeting, and these people are hurting a great deal,” Ritter said. “… They’re in shock. They’re numb.”
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration took over the investigation Thursday as the Clear Creek coroner’s office began autopsies on the five men.
Herb Gibson, area OSHA director, said the autopsies will help them determine whether the victims died of asphyxiation, smoke inhalation or other causes.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board also are participating in the investigation.
The governor said state officials considered but ruled out using state victim-compensation funds to help the families. He noted, however, that Clear Creek County victims’ advocates have offered assistance and counseling, and local residents have contributed lodging, food and money through a charity fund at Clear Creek National Bank.
Ritter noted that the autopsies are not expected to be completed until early next week, so some of the 20 or so relatives will remain in the area. “So if there’s anybody who wants to help out with these family members, that’s still something I think they will appreciate.”
“I expressed our condolences and our sympathies to the individuals, the family members who are mourning the loss of their loved ones,” Ritter said. “I think they needed to hear from the people of the state that we are certainly sympathetic to this absolute and awful tragedy.”
Staff writer Mike McPhee contributed to this report.
Steve Lipsher: 970-513-9495 or slipsher@denverpost.com
To help victims’ families
A relief fund has been established at Clear Creek National Bank for the victims’ families. Contributions may be sent to the Idaho Springs Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1774, Idaho Springs, CO 80452.
