BLACK FOREST — Black Forest firefighters needed help from multiple agencies to contain the Christmas Day fire that sent two people to the hospital. News5 is told one of the victims is a senior woman. With the home destroyed, we spoke with investigators who are trying to learn more.
Black Forest firefighters scrambled to get to a home on Bridle Bit Road just off of Shoup Road in Black Forest Christmas morning to fight a house fire. Despite their efforts, the home was destroyed and two people injured. Without a fire investigator of their own, Black Forest fire turned to a trio of investigators from the ATF, Fountain Fire, and El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
"As of right now we can rule out arson and just so you know our EPSO investigations section is not investigating this incident as a homicide," said Sgt. Deborah Mynatt of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
Because of privacy laws, investigators say at this point they don't have an update on the condition of the fire victims. The next step for investigators is to determine where and how the fire started.
"The exact origin and that cause is going to be determined fully with a thorough report at a later time," said Sgt. Mynatt.
Neighbors say this property off of Bridle Bit Road is a historic ranch and it hurts to see the damage done in the fire. Investigators say if you know anything about what happened they'd like to hear from you.
"If you are familiar and you saw something out of the ordinary specifically related to this incident we do ask that you contact Black Forest Fire or the sheriff's office directly," said Sgt. Mynatt.
More than 30 firefighters worked this fire and in Black Forest water supply issues continue to challenge firefighters in these remote locations. Without the same type of water supply you get in the city, first responders must plan ahead to make sure they have enough water on sight to fight the fires.
