WESTMINSTER, Colo. – There was a total of 16 victims in the Westbury Apartment complex fire that happened early Sunday—five more than were initially reported, police said Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, three people were still hospitalized in critical condition and two other people remained hospitalized in an unknown condition. Two people died as a result of the fire and nine others who had been hospitalized have since been released, police said.
Authorities had initially said two people were killed in the fire and nine others were injured.
Westminster police additionally said Wednesday that they had spoken with three of the four people who witnesses had seen using fire extinguishers to try and put out the flames at the apartment complex. Police had asked Monday for help in finding the four people but did not release any more information about them Wednesday.
Police said they are still looking to find a local point of donations for people wanting to give items to those affected by the fire. A resource center was open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Silver Hills Middle School and a barbecue fundraiser and donation drive is underway Wednesday afternoon at the Crossing Church.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were brought in on Monday to help investigate the cause of the fire. A 69-unit building at the complex was destroyed.
The Westminster Fire Department asks anyone who witnessed the fire or knows more about its cause to contact the department at 303-658-4360. Anyone needing assistance after the fire is asked to call the American Red Cross at 1-800-417-0495.
Autopsies for the two people killed in the fire were completed Wednesday but the identities of the victims have not yet been released by the coroner's office.
