St. Bernadette Parish, Catholic Charities

With his and the congregation's agreement to help, about 12 displaced people rushed to the parish to find shelter in the church's basement. (Photo by Daryan Shamkhali from Unsplash)

In line with the fire incident at the Tiffany Square Apartments at 935 Sheridan Blvd. in Lakewood, St. Bernadette Catholic Parish provided emergency shelter for the victims.

According to the Denver Catholic, with 32 residents displaced, the Red Cross team reached out to the parish priest, Father Joe McLagan.

With his and the congregation's agreement to help, about 12 displaced people rushed to the parish to find shelter in the church's basement.

Father McLagan explained that since they were the nearest church to the apartment complex, they were glad to support their neighbors who endured grief and unexpected loss.

He quoted Jesus in Luke 6:30, which said, "Give to everyone who asks of you."

Collaboration

When folks were staying at St. Bernadette, Father McLagan reportedly contacted Catholic Charities to see if they would be willing to help with dinners.

As usual, the downtown Samaritan House-based Catholic Charities food services crew agreed immediately and got to work.

The crew volunteers fed the displaced residents at the parish up until everyone found a place to stay.

According to Mark Hahn, coordinator of Catholic Charities' relief efforts, they were eager to offer their help and support.

He explained that their incredible volunteers never wavered from the goal of helping people in need as part of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

For them, it was a privilege to be able to assist these locals as they looked for a secure place to stay.

Fire Incident

According to West Metro Fire Rescue and Lakewood Police, on Oct. 31, an early-morning fire at a Lakewood apartment complex was detected. It resulted in the deaths of two people, the hospitalization of a family of three, and the displacement of occupants from all 32 units.

At the Tiffany Square Apartment fire, six other residents were also hurt and received medical attention, as well as a fireman who suffered smoke inhalation.

According to officials, the initial call came in around 4:15 a.m. Residents claimed that the fire woke them up as early as 3:45 a.m.

According to Antonia Garcia, she got a call from a friend at 6. a.m. telling her that her daughter's apartment was on fire.

"That is the worst call that you're gonna get," she said.

To get to the bottom of the incident, investigators took the surveillance footage from a nearby strip mall.

Juvenile Suspects

According to a report by Fox 31, investigators stated that security footage showed two boys using a Molotov cocktail or other similar device to set the complex on fire before walking away.

The two were then purportedly returning and doing something to make the flames even bigger. These two boys, ages 12 and 14, are facing two counts of first-degree murder and arson.

According to Colorado law, the identities of the minor suspects cannot be publicized due to their ages.

A defense motion to keep the media out of the courtroom hearing was refused.

Prosecutors disclosed during the court hearing that the two boys had been residing unlawfully in apartment unit 50 at Tiffany Square until they were kicked out.

They allegedly returned to the property at 935 Sheridan Blvd to execute revenge.