Loveland, CO – An explosion and fire at a motel in northern Colorado that injured three people, including a firefighter, was caused by a gas leak.
Investigators with the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority say the gas leak at the Rosebud Motel was ignited when a resident lit a cigarette Saturday night. One of the people injured was hospitalized with serious injuries, and 10 residents have been displaced.
Some of the residents reported that they had smelled a natural gas odor periodically throughout the day.
Fire crews were already at the front of the motel on an unrelated medical call when the explosion happened on the opposite side of the building.
The explosion has been ruled an accident.