As the Deputy arrived, he identified one male party, later identified as Fred Phillips 72 YOA of Shreveport, LA, suffering from severe burns and other related trauma. Phillips was conscious and did indicate that a female was still in the structure. Phillips was rescued from the perimeter of the structure from civilian bystanders who witnessed the explosion.
From the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office
October 12, 2019
*Update*
On October 12, 2019, at approximately 9:39 am, members of the Archuleta County Sheriffs office, with the assistance of a cadaver dog from the Upper Pine Fire District, located the body of a deceased female. Due to the condition of the structure, and for the safety of the responders, the victim was not able to be recovered until approximately 10:25 am.
The victims remains were turned over to the Archuleta County Coroners office for identification and notification of next of kin.
Investigation is ongoing.
Original report:
On October 11, 2019, at approximately 7:12 pm, Sheriff’s deputies overheard a loud explosion in the vicinity of the Aspen Village subdivision, behind Wal-Mart. Simultaneously, Archuleta Combined Dispatch began receiving numerous 911 calls indicating that there had been an explosion and fire at 994 Cool Pines Dr. unincorporated Archuleta County, Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
One of the 911 calls was made from inside of the residence by one of the occupants indicating the existence of the explosion and subsequent fire. The caller indicated that there were two occupants in the structure at the time of the explosion.
The first Deputy arrived on scene at approximately 7:19pm. As the Deputy arrived, he identified one male party, later identified as Fred Phillips 72 YOA of Shreveport, LA, suffering from severe burns and other related trauma. Phillips was conscious and did indicate that a female was still in the structure. Phillips was rescued from the perimeter of the structure from civilian bystanders who witnessed the explosion. Phillips was transported to the Pagosa Springs Medical Center via ambulance. Phillips was later transported to a Denver area hospital via Flight for Life where he remains in critical condition.
At the time of this Press Release, the female victim has not been located. The debris field of the structure is very extensive and had hot spots of active fire throughout the night. Pagosa Springs Fire District had crews on scene all night addressing the hot spots.
The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office has reached out to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to assist in the investigation to recover the body and to determine the cause of the fire.
Agencies responding were the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, Pagosa Springs Fire District and the Pagosa Springs EMS.
There is no further information at this time.
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