By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities
Following 2 months of intense investigations, Aurora Fire officials still don’t know what caused a gas explosion at Heather Gardens retirement community on November 16th.
The blast and gas-fed fire killed 82-year old resident, Carol Ross, injured 2 of her next door neighbors, and destroyed several homes.
Heather Gardens HOA can now begin the long process of filing insurance claims, the first step toward cleaning up the rubble and rebuilding homes destroyed by the explosion.
Heather Gardens turned back over to HOA 2 months after fire, explosion
The Nov. 16 explosion and fire killed Resident Carol Ross and injured two others. A section of townhouses were also destroyed.
Author: Amanda Kesting
Published: 4:58 PM MST January 17, 2019
Updated: 5:35 PM MST January 17, 2019
AURORA, Colo. — Two months after a fire and explosion killed one person and left two others injured at a retirement community in Aurora, the location has been turned back over the homeowner’s association.A release from Aurora Fire Rescue says that the department has finished the portion of their investigation that required them to keep control of the scene. The area was released to the community’s homeowners association Thursday afternoon.
Aurora Fire says they are still investigating the exact cause and origin of the incident and do not have any new findings to release at this time.
Read more:
Heather Gardens turned back over to HOA 2 months after fire, explosion
Homeowners seek answers after deadly gas explosion
The gas leak and explosion hit Heather Gardens, a 55+ senior community of 3,800 residents, on November 16, 2018.
But 10 days after the blast, residents attended an HOA meeting hoping to find out why the explosion happened, and whether their community is safe.
At the time an Xcel Energy spokesperson blamed a third-party contractor of Xfinity Comcast — ICS Communications — for hitting gas lines while digging trenches for new fiber optic cables.
The HOA began the process of collecting emails to help keep residents informed of any updates in the future.
Heather Gardens was established in 1973, and construction completed in 1987. Since 1983 an owner-elected board manages the active adult community.
A special district, Heather Gardens Metropolitan District (HGMD), also established in 1983, funds and manages recreational amenities, including a golf course.
Heather Gardens HOA says the community experienced three gas leaks within several days prior to the explosion. The first two leaks reportedly occurred on November 13 and 14. Both were quickly repaired.
The deadly explosion and fire occurred on November 16, and homeowners reported a fourth leak on November 25.
Related:
Colorado homeowners seek answers after deadly gas explosion
See the following link for extensive live video coverage of the gas-fed fire at Heather Gardens on November 16, 2018.
One killed, several homes destroyed after gas explosion & fire in Heather Gardens
POSTED 6:00 PM, NOVEMBER 16, 2018, BY WEB STAFF, UPDATED AT 11:20AM, NOVEMBER 17, 2018 (KDVR videos)