A house fire in Colorado that killed three adults and two toddlers in a suburban Denver home appears to have been intentionally set by “unknown persons” who fled the area, investigators said.
The five victims were identified on Friday as Djibril and Adja Diol and their 3-year-old daughter, Kadidia, who died along with Hassan Diol and her infant daughter, Hawa Beye.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers announced Friday a $14,000 reward for anyone providing a tip that leads to an arrest in the Aug. 5 house fire.
PLZ RT: Five people were killed in fire in the 5300 block of N Truckee Street. The fire appeared to be deliberately set by unknown persons who fled the area. Anyone w/info on this homicide is asked to call @CrimeStoppersCO at 720-913-7867 and you could earn a $14k reward! #Denver pic.twitter.com/Xynm2tNhDr
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) August 7, 2020
Denver police investigations division chief Joe Montoya said early on in the investigation he would not elaborate on the evidence developed in the case because he did not want to compromise the investigation.
Officials working on the case said the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is currently working together with the Denver Police Department to bring justice for the victims’ families.
Three people who lived on the second floor of the house survived the massive fire that also damaged two surrounding houses. The survivors were hospitalized and are currently recovering from non-life-threatening injuries, Denver police spokesman Jay Casillas said.
All victims were members of one Senegalese family who immigrated to Colorado in recent years. Senegal President Macky Sall said on Twitter he “was moved to learn of the deaths of five of our compatriots in a massive fire in Denver.”
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish speedy recovery to the injured,” Sall wrote on Twitter in French. “It is a very serious matter that we are following closely.”
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock also expressed condolences to the victims’ families and asked people to consider helping them by donating via a GoFundMe fundraiser, set up to support sending the victims’ remains back to Senegal for a proper burial in their home country. The fundraiser has as of Aug. 8 generated over $156,000.
The loved ones of a Green Valley Ranch family who died in a tragic home fire this week, need our help, Denver. ???????? Please consider donating to help with the cost of sending their remains back to Senegal for a proper burial. https://t.co/gwUYe1mG12
— Michael B. Hancock (@MayorHancock) August 7, 2020
The house was located in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood, which is a relatively new development of tightly packed homes near Denver International Airport.
A neighbor of the victims said she was awakened by noise and people screaming, “Get the baby out! Get the baby out!” She said at that moment she ran to a window and saw flames and plumes of smoke rising from the home just down the street.
“I awoke my husband, and he ran outside to see if he could help. But there was nothing he could do. The fire was too big,” the woman explained.
Senegal Consul General Elhadji Ndao flew to Denver on Thursday at the request of his country’s leaders and said he is looking forward to the investigation.
“We trust and have confidence in the legal system in this country and this city, and we have confidence that the investigation will take its course and what is proper in terms of diligence will be done,” he said, standing in front of the remnants of the charred home.
Ndao, who was joined by members of the Senegalese community who gathered to mourn the victims, added, “It’s unfortunate that a whole family was gone in this tragic event.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
