FOUNTAIN, COLO. -- A Fountain man is dead and two families are displaced after an early morning fire Monday.
Just after 2 a.m., fire crews in Fountain fought a massive fire at Crest Mobile Home Park in the 500 block of Windsor Lane.
Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine said Janey Nauta, a resident of the home where the fire started, woke up because she smelled smoke. She woke her husband and two children and left the home through the back door into a small fenced-in area that had a locked gate.
Anstine said the father, 45-year-old Joey Nauta, went back inside the home to retrieve his wife's purse that had the keys to unlock the gate. Meanwhile, Janey put her 5-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter over the fence to escape the fire area, then jumped the fence herself. When she realized her husband was still inside, officials said she broke the back windows of the mobile home in attempt to help him get out.
According to fire officials, Joey was about three feet from the door exit when the ceiling collapsed, trapping him inside the home where he died.
Neighbors in the area said they heard loud explosions at the time of the fire. Irene Gonzales, who lives one block away from the Nauta family, said she rushed to the scene to help her friends.
"The flames were so high," she said. "I saw Janey and the kids, but I didn't see Joe. Janey said he went in to get the family dog, the kids' dog. He didn't come back out."
The Fountain Fire Department said they were dispatched to the area at 2:09 a.m. and responded to the scene by 2:11 a.m. When they arrived, the Nauta home was fully engulfed in flames and the ceiling had collapsed.
Firefighters were informed Joey was inside the home, but the intense fire prevented crews from entering the home to rescue him.
Three other homes nearby were also burning when fire crews arrived. Once the four fires were contained, firefighters were able to recover Joey Nauta's body and transported him to the El Paso County Coroner's Office.
Monday night, fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be an accidental electrical outlet overload. Officials said the outlet was overloaded with Christmas lights.
Two families have been displaced, but Crest Mobile Home Park management officials said they will be able to provide temporary replacement housing for both of them.
The Nauta family said they lost everything in the fire. They are asking for monetary donations, as well as clothing, toilet paper and other daily use items. Anyone wishing to help can make donations to any of the following places:
- Fountain Fire Station #1 (212 North Santa Fe Avenue)
- Fountain Fire Station #2 (8201 Fountain Mesa Road)
- Fountain Fire Station #3 (6625 Camden Boulevard)
- Aragon Elementary School (211 South Main Street)
- 7-11 Store (601 South Santa Fe Avenue)
If you are interested in donating clothing, the mother is size 14 (shoe size 11), the 10-year-old girl is women's size 12 (shoe size 11) and the 5-year-old boy is kids size 5-6 (no shoe size available).
Map of locations where you can donate:
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