The Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Two bodies were found Wednesday in the smoldering remains of an apartment complex, and a man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, police said.
Authorities were still searching for additional victims or suspects, said police Lt. Rafael Cintron.
Crews used ladders and a metal cage hanging from a crane to peer into the building as firefighters put out small pockets of flame nearly two days after the fire started.
“We’re still in defensive mode,” Lt. Jeff Sievers said. “We’ve had the roof collapse into the third-floor building, creating voids that will flare up.”
Cintron, who said the fire appears to have been arson, did not provide details on the suspected involvement of Gene Johnson, 36.
Officials of the American Red Cross, which was sheltering some displaced residents, said they had heard from people living in 91 of the complex’s 121 occupied apartments.
But the Red Cross hadn’t heard of anyone trying to find a missing person, said David Just, chief executive of the Colorado Springs chapter.
Crews arrived at the fire early Tuesday to find people hanging out of windows and balconies. Some survivors jumped from balconies, and residents described some people throwing children to safety from windows.
More than 30 people were treated for injuries including broken bones, sprained ankles and hypothermia from standing outside in frigid weather, officials said.
It was unclear whether Johnson had a lawyer. Authorities at the El Paso County jail referred calls to Cintron, who did not return messages late Wednesday.