Account set up for Aspen fire victims

ASPEN ” It’s been made easier for people to help contribute to the victims of a fire that occurred last week at an affordable housing complex near the hospital.

An account has been set up at Alpine Bank in the name of the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department FBO Castle Ridge Fire Victims. Checks can be made out to: AVFD FBO Castle Ridge Fire Victims.

If contributors need a receipt for taxes, they can get one from Patty Clark or Jan Schubert at the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department, as it is a 501(c) 3.

The 100 building of the Castle Ridge Apartments was totally gutted after a fire broke out late Tuesday night. A cigarette left burning in potting soil on a second floor balcony was fingered as the cause of the blaze.

All 17 residents escaped ” one cat died of asphyxiation ” but the building was a loss, officials said.