3 Missing Children Presumed Dead In Explosion That Leveled Colorado Lodge

[rainbow4321]

http://www.kotv.com/main/home/storiesNL.asp?whichpage=1&id=79977

Three children missing since a powerful blast leveled a secluded mountain lodge in western Colorado are presumed dead, the sheriff said Monday as searchers began combing the rubble for their bodies.

The three children, ages 3, 12 and 16, who were from the same extended family that owned the Electric Mountain Lodge, Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee said.

Sixteen other people were injured in the blast. Names of the victims were not released.

Officials had not determined what triggered the explosion Saturday, but said it may have been caused by propane gas used for heat. The explosion left only two chimneys and smoldering rubble, witnesses said. Steve Douglas, one of the lodge's co-owners, said a family reunion was scheduled for the building. ``Luckily, everyone hadn't arrived. It was pretty vacant at the time,'' Douglas said.