Highland Terrace Update

Monday, October 30, 2006 - Breckenridge, CO

Fire investigators from Red, White & Blue Fire District have determined that Friday’s fire at 215 Highland Terrace was not intentionally set. According to Lt. Jay Nelson, Lead Investigator for Red, White & Blue, the fire scene has now been turned over to State Farm Insurance, who will complete further investigations to determine the cause and will be working closely with Red, White & Blue.

Investigators from Red, White & Blue, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue, Breckenridge Police and Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) spent all day on Saturday examining the house. "We were able to rule out that the door to the first floor appeared to be in the open position in the preliminary pictures we have, leading to the suspicion that someone possibly entered and started the fire," Lt. Nelson said. They determined that fire had burned away the door jamb so the door appeared open. They analyzed the strike plate for pry marks and damage and looked at the deadbolt, which appeared to be in the extended, or locked, position.

"State Farm will now be looking into accidental causes that lead to the fire," Lt. Nelson said. "If, at any time, they suspect a criminal nature, we will be more involved at that point," he said.

Red, White & Blue asked CBI to assist in the fire investigation with them to aid in the fact finding and decision-making that goes on in investigation. If the fire was criminal in intent, having CBI already at the fire scene opens up other investigative tools and quickens the process.

"It’s wonderful to have local agencies working together with us, such as Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue and Breckenridge Police," said Captain Kim Scott. "Having CBI assist with investigation adds another point of view and adds another dimension of resources," she said.

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Press Contact:
Capt. Kim Scott, PIO
cell: 970.485.4374
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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