Summit County: Body found in house destroyed by fire

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colorado — A man’s remains were uncovered by investigators in the debris of a four-bedroom family home that burned Tuesday night just east of Montezuma.

Summit resident Dan Campbell, who owns the home, is still unaccounted for, according to authorities. But investigators say they have made no connection between the remains and Campbell at this time.

Local authorities are now waiting for positive identification on the body as they prepare to hand the investigation over to the insurance company.

“Looking back on our records this is the first fire-related fatality we’ve had in Summit County,” said Brandon Williams with Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue. “Having to approach a site where there was a fatality was a first for us.”

The investigation into what caused the fire will still take a while and fire authorities have hung tarps over the site to allow investigators to continue sorting through debris, Williams said.

“The weather can complicate things in the investigation” said Williams, referring to the spring storm that left several inches of snow on the ground on Thursday.

Tuesday night, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue responded to 6895 Montezuma Rd. after one of the residents called 911 upon returning home. According to the fire department, there was heavy smoke and flames leaping from the house.

Although initial fire crews arrived approximately 15 minutes after they received the call, the building was already partially caved in when they arrived and completely collapsed within a half-hour.