***UPDATE***
Date – July 31, 2018
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT, WESTMINSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT, ATF
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Response Team, or NRT, and Westminster Police and Fire Departments completed their on-scene investigation into the July 22 fire at 1585 West 115th Avenue in Westminster.
NRT leadership presented Westminster Police and Fire Department officials with a preliminary report of their findings during a July 31 out-brief and will follow up with a full report to the city in about 30 days.
“This has been a collaborative effort,” said NRT Team Leader Dixon Robin. “ATF appreciates the hard work and professionalism of the Westminster Police and Fire Departments in processing this complex fire scene and conducting the subsequent follow-up investigation.”
At this time, investigators have classified the fire as incendiary, or intentionally set.
The Westminster Police Department, along with the ATF Denver Field Division, will continue to investigate this case as an arson/homicide. Due to the ongoing investigation, we will not be releasing additional details at this time.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Westminster Police Department at 303 658 4360.
ATF will not release details of its findings. All information will be released by the Westminster Police and Fire Departments.
As of Noon today, the property will be released to management at Westbury Apartments. All residents with concerns or questions about retrieving personal items should contact property management at 303 452 0032. The Westminster Police Department will no longer be responsible for the property.
Date – July 24, 2018
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT, WESTMINSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT, ATF
On July 22, 2018 Westminster Fire crews were dispatched to the Westbury Apartment Complex in the 1500 block of West 115th Avenue. Police and fire personnel arrived to find the structure fully involved and several residents trying to escape the building.
The fire resulted in two fatalities and damage to the entire 69 unit building.
Westminster Officials requested the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, due to their expertise in forensic examinations of fire scenes.
On Monday the ATF deployed about 20 members of the National Response Team to assist. Members of the NRT team include:
Certified Fire Investigators
Electrical Engineer
Forensic Chemists
Fire Protection Engineer
Accelerant Detection K9 team
Forensic Auditors
Other Technical Experts
The ATF will work in conjunction with fire investigators and detectives from Westminster.
Our deepest condolences go out to all of the residents who were affected by this fire. All three agencies are committed to finding answers for our community.
Due to the ongoing investigation we will not be releasing any further details or granting interviews at this time.
We will thoroughly investigate the fire. We do not have an estimated time frame on when residents may be allowed back into the building.
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