Investigators are back digging through rubble Wednesday morning following a Tuesday afternoon explosion in Denver’s Baker neighborhood that injured nine and left a multi-complex home in shambles.
Denver police said on Twitter that northbound Santa Fe Drive was closed from 3rd to 4th Avenue during the investigation.
“We’re trying to get to the very center of where the fire took place or the explosion,” said Greg Pixley, Denver Fire Department spokesman. “It could have been one or the other. Our investigation will help us determine that.”
Crews are working to make sure as they search through debris, they’re doing so without disturbing any possible evidence that might be needed if there’s a criminal case, Pixley said.
Pixley confirmed the fire department received a report of a natural gas explosion in the 400 block of Santa Fe Drive, which investigators are using as a key or clue to help work toward that determination.
“We can’t say at this point without a shadow of a doubt that is what took place, but we are using that in addition to other clues and statements,” Pixley said.
Seven injured in the explosion were across the street from the blast and were treated and released at the scene. Firefighters rescued one woman from the rubble who was in stable condition on Tuesday. One victim was in critical condition Tuesday.
Cadaver dogs sniffing through piles of debris didn’t find additional victims buried.
“We were lucky,” Pixley said. “We are hoping there are no more in the rubble, but as we go through this investigation which will involve an excavation of some of the debris, there is still the potential.”
Pixley said they have not received any reports of missing people.
