Chieftain: Death not related to arson at Rocky Ford nursing home
A woman who allegedly set fire to a room at the Pioneer Healthcare Center has been taken to be evaluated at a mental health facility in La Junta, Police Chief Frank Gallegos said Tuesday.
The cause of the fire, which broke out Friday, is arson.
KOAA-TV reported Monday that a person was killed in the fire, but Gallegos said that person died of natural causes the next day at a facility that accepted some evacuated residents. “There was an autopsy done on the man that died to determine if the fire caused the death. The autopsy showed that the person died of natural causes,” Gallegos said. “That person’s death was not caused by the fire.”
Pioneer Healthcare officials released a statement Tuesday concerning the KOAA report. “Unfortunately, there were some inaccuracies reported yesterday evening in a media story that has since been retracted. Pioneer Health Care center confirms a fire broke out Friday afternoon in one of the resident rooms at our facility. Staff members did an excellent job getting everyone quickly and safely out of the building,” the statement said. “Firefighters put out the fire before it could spread. Smoke and water damage has forced us to close the impacted wing until cleanup and repairs can be completed.”
Officials said 22 of the facility’s residents have been relocated and most of them are staying in overflow rooms at a hospital. “Our residents are safe and being well cared for. We are communicating with residents and family members to make sure they are aware of all updates,” the statement said.
Gallegos said the facility suffered smoke and water damage but the fire was contained to the one room. Gallegos said his department will not release the name of the woman involved in the fire because the investigation is ongoing. “If charges are brought against the resident, they probably will be arson and maybe 28 counts of reckless endangerment,” Gallegos said. Gallegos said formal charges had not been filed as of Tuesday.
Fire departments from La Junta, Manzanola and Fowler were dispatched to the fire Friday to provide mutual aid and breathing units. The occupants were evacuated on the Pioneer bus and ambulances, and were taken to the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center Nursing Home West in La Junta.
