Response to Suicide Call Ends in House Fire, Arson Suspected
by
Danielle Kreutter
Story Created:
Jan 17, 2012 at 6:15 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Jan 19, 2012 at 10:02 AM MDT
Whitewater - What began as a suicide response call in Whitewater Monday night ends in a house fire, and now arson is being suspected as a cause.
Lands End Fire Department and deputies responded to 33330 Mill Tailings Road in Whitewater around 10:30 PM Monday night for a fire inside the residence. Mesa County authorities deemed the house a crime scene right after Lands End Fire Department put out the fire. Although the concrete home is still standing, officials say the structure was a complete loss after the fire.
"There was quite a bit of heat from the fire, a lot of smoke damage. The heat was banked down far enough that it did some damage to the structure itself," said interim Chief of Lands End Fire Department James Wood.
A neighbor was able to break into a window and pull out the only resident, 31-year-old Mike Buffum, before officials entered the home. Mesa County Sheriff's authorities were already on scene before they had to call in the fire department.
"We were originally called out there for a suicidal subject, so part of that would be to make contact with the person and make sure they aren't a danger to themselves, or us, or both, and we don't typically put firefighters and ambulance folks in harm's way before we can determine it's safe," said Heather Benjamin of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.
"There was fire in the front room, so we made entry to the home and put the fire out. At that time, we were advised it would probably be a crime scene," Wood said.
Officials are now saying they believe the cause of the fire was arson, but have yet to confirm that.
"The arson investigation generally is going to take quite a while. A number of days, if not weeks," Benjamin said.
Officials tell NewsChannel 5 Buffum was transported Monday night to St. Mary's Hospital due to smoke inhalation, but was discharged Tuesday.
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jan 18 at 1:40 AM
"Mesa County authorities deemed the house a crime seem right after Lands End Fire Department put out the fire." What exactly is a "crime seem"?
Add a comment
Most Popular