Elliot Olsen is a nationally respected explosion lawyer who has regained millions for clients. If you know a family member affected by this Pagosa Springs explosion, you should persuade them to call Elliot at (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation. He understands the pain and suffering that occur after someone has been injured in an explosion, and he can help both family members and survivors find their way to recovery.
A reporter for Denver’s Fox 31 TV news reported that Fred Phillips, 72, was rescued from the flames by two movers – Trevor Schoelhamer and his father, who are from Missouri – who were unpacking a home near the Aspen Village subdivision behind Walmart when they heard the explosion.
“We heard and felt it, and the first reaction was to run up the hill and go over there,” Trevor Schoelhamer said.
Pagosa Springs, which is known for its hot springs, is about 280 miles southwest of Denver. County records show Phillips bought the property in 2007 for $1 million.
Pagosa Springs explosion:
Numerous calls to 911
A spokesperson for the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said that at about 7 p.m. Friday, a number of 911 calls were made reporting an explosion and fire at 994 Cool Pines Drive.
One 911 call was made from inside the affected building, which authorities told the Pagosa Springs Sun was a two-floor structure next to the main home. The caller said there were two people inside the building during the explosion.
Schoelhamer, his father, and a nearby resident heard screams from the flames for a number of minutes before they spotted a man’s hand in the fire.
“The man’s hand popped out (and) my dad noticed it,” Trevor Schoelhamer said. “We ran down pulled him out of the fire to safety outside and not even a minute after the paramedics got there.”
A woman is dead and a man is in critical condition in a Denver-area hospital after a Pagosa Springs explosion in southwest Colorado. Fred Phillips, 72, was airlifted to the hospital; the identity of the woman has not been determined.
Pagosa Springs explosion:
Phillips in critical condition
Phillips was severely burned, in addition other injuries. He was taken to Pagosa Springs Medical Center and later was flown to a Denver-area hospital via Flight for Life. He remains in critical condition.
Phillips was conscious when he was pulled from the fire. He reportedly told first responders there was still a woman inside the structure, and the Schoelhamers told Fox 31 that they could hear her screaming.
“We tried everything to get to her. The screams were just awful,” Schoelhamer said. “We were circling the building looking for any kind of entryway, (but) the flames got too high and too hot. There was no way we could get to her.”
Pagosa Springs explosion:
Body was found Saturday
The Pagosa Springs Sun reported that the woman’s body was located shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday. About an hour later, the body was turned over to the Archuleta County Coroner’s Office.
More than 20 firefighters responded to the scene Friday night.
Pagosa Springs explosion:
Phillips CEO of company
Shreveport’s KTBS 3 TV news reported that Phillips is president and CEO of Phillips Energy, Inc., with more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.
Phillips also was one of the sponsors of the KTBS 3 Freedom Fest Series over the summer. He and his family sponsored the B-52 Flyover and the Skydivers on July 4. He was honored by the FAA in 2018 for more than 50 years of flying.
Pagosa Springs explosion:
Two agencies investigating
The cause of the explosion remains unknown. The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office has requested that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation help in making that determination.
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