Fire damages east Colorado Springs home

Firefighters battled a fire Thursday afternoon at a home on the east side of Colorado Springs.

The fire was reported around 2:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Osgood Drive, near the intersection of Palmer Park Boulevard and N. Murray Boulevard.

Investigators said the fire started outside the home where four adults and two children were living.

Three witnesses — including Christian Collette, one of the residents — said an 8-year-old boy at the home used a lighter to ignite a bush, and the fire quickly spread to the home.

“It started with a bit of curiosity around fire,” Collette said. “He was playing with a lighter and he accidentally lit that bush. We’ve never seen him play with fire and all of a sudden, after Fourth of July, he somehow got his hands on a lighter, and for some reason decided to do that.”

Collette said the boy’s father was treated for smoke inhalation at a hospital, and a firefighter suffered a minor injury.

“It was amazing to me how quickly that fire spread,” Collette said.

He said several dogs and cats escaped safely.

Autumn Smith, a neighbor, was one of the witnesses who saw the fire.

“I cried,” she said. “It was that emotional because it’s sad to see someone’s house destroyed.”

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters poured foam on the structure.

“When a house burns as intensely as this one did, there’s always a chance it’ll reignite,” said Lt. Brad Starling. “That would threaten the homes next door. This foam ensures the fire will stay out.”

The Red Cross was helping provide for the needs of the displaced residents.

The fire remains under investigation.