COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- New information is released on the investigation into a house that caught fire twice in just 24 hours.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department said Thursday the second fire was incendiary, which means it was not a natural fire or an accidental fire.
The home under investigation is located in the 2400 block of Marlow Circle, near Fountain Boulevard and Jet Wing Drive.
It first caught fire Monday afternoon when a 4-year-old was playing with a lighter on a mattress in the front bedroom.
Fire officials concluded it was accidental, and the damage was minimal.
Then around 1 a.m. the next morning, the house caught fire again, but this time it was in a different part of the house and everything burned, including the side of a neighbor's home.
"We suspected it right away, you could tell where the fire started," Tricia Moreaux said.
Moreaux's home was damaged in the second fire Tuesday morning. She said she is still in shock about the whole ordeal.
"I have just been so out of it, I am just now starting to come around," Moreaux said.
Moreaux said she and her husband have insurance and are planning on rebuilding.
The fire department said even though the second fire is being classified as incendiary, the two are not related due to the fact each one started in a different part of the house.
"I would say anything that is classified as incendiary is curious because obviously we want to know who, what, when, where and why that all occurred," Colorado Springs Fire Marshal Brett Lacey said.
Along with the fire department, the Major Crimes Unit of the Colorado Springs Police Department is also helping with the investigation, because the fire could become a criminal matter.
"At this point they are going to be doing interviews and attempting to identify suspects, and learn who set the fire and ultimately why they set the fire," Sgt. Steve Noblitt said.
No matter what the investigation uncovers, Moreaux said there is a silver lining in the dark cloud.
A new friend, Keith Kreps, who she said saw the flames from across the way, saved her family from the fire.
"He pounded and kicked on the door and woke up my husband, who was able to wake me up and get me out of the house," Moreaux said.
Kreps said he was just doing what he thought was right.
"I do not consider myself a hero. I just hope if it came down to it, somebody would do the same for me," Kreps said.
The police department is asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area Monday night or early Tuesday morning to call them at 719-444-7000 them or Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP.
You can also text CSPD your tip to 847411 (TIP411).
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM