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Two people killed by raging Colorado Springs wildfire | Two people killed by raging Colorado Springs wildfire |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Two people have been killed by a wildfire raging north of the US city of Colorado Springs, police said. | Two people have been killed by a wildfire raging north of the US city of Colorado Springs, police said. |
Their bodies were recovered from the Black Forest area, where the blaze has destroyed nearly 380 homes since it started on Tuesday. | |
Some 39,000 people have left their homes amid what authorities describe as the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history. | |
It is one of three blazes currently burning in the state. | It is one of three blazes currently burning in the state. |
Another fire farther west partially damaged the world's highest suspension bridge on the Arkansas River and destroyed most of the state park around it, including many buildings. | |
'Go now' | 'Go now' |
The Royal Gorge fire has burned 3,150 acres (1,275 hectares) and was 40% contained on Friday. | |
Tourist structures on either side of the Arkansas River have already been damaged and a prison in nearby Canon City was evacuated as a precaution. | |
Meanwhile a third blaze, sparked by lightning, was burning further north in Rocky Mountain National Park. No buildings were threatened and the blaze was 30% contained, said the National Park Service. | |
After doubling overnight on Wednesday, the Black Forest fire is holding at 25 sq miles (40 sq km), having burned 15,700 acres. The fire is 5% contained as of Friday morning. | |
About 13,000 more properties remained threatened, authorities said. | About 13,000 more properties remained threatened, authorities said. |
The two victims were caught in the flames as they tried to flee from their home in a heavily wooded area, County Sheriff Terry Maketa said. | The two victims were caught in the flames as they tried to flee from their home in a heavily wooded area, County Sheriff Terry Maketa said. |
"All evidence from the scene is they were planning on departing," he said. The victims were found in a garage of a Black Forest home. | |
"The car doors were open as if they were loading or grabbing last-minute things," Sheriff Maketa said. | |
Driven in all directions by hot, erratic winds, the blaze remained largely out of control. Sheriff Maketa said fire crews had battled it to a "draw" on Thursday. | |
"That was a victory today," he added. "Because we haven't had many draws lately." | |
On Thursday afternoon, police ordered new mandatory evacuations in the city's north. | On Thursday afternoon, police ordered new mandatory evacuations in the city's north. |
"You are in immediate danger. Load your family and pets, and go now," the county sheriff's office said in a tweet. | |
Hundreds of firefighters are trying to tackle the blaze. | |
The Black Forest area is not far from Waldo Canyon, where a blaze last year burned 346 houses and killed two people. | The Black Forest area is not far from Waldo Canyon, where a blaze last year burned 346 houses and killed two people. |
"I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined we'd be dealing a year later with a very similar circumstance," Sheriff Maketa said. | "I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined we'd be dealing a year later with a very similar circumstance," Sheriff Maketa said. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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