THORNTON, Colo. — A 3-year-old boy died in a house fire in Thornton Friday afternoon.
The fire broke out at a home in the 9100 block of Clarkson Street around 12:07 p.m.
According to the Thornton Police Department, three officers arrived at the scene and were told that a child was still in the home. The officers entered the home and tried to find the child.
Thornton Fire Department crews arrived and began search efforts while working to extinguish the fire. Westminster Fire, Federal Heights Fire Department, Adams County Fire Protection District and North Metro Fire Rescue District responded to help battle the blaze.
The child died during the fire, according to Thornton police. The victim's family identified the boy as Santino Romero. The three officers suffered smoke inhalation and were treated at a hospital.
Nathan Hill was working next door when the fire broke out. He spoke to Denver7 Saturday about witnessing the heartbreaking moment when the family learned of Santino's death.
"I saw what I believe was the mother reacting to the news that the kid was no longer with us. So that was that was hard to see," Hill said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Thornton PD tip line at 720-977-5069.
The family started a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses. They released the following statement:
"It has devasted my family to have lost a childhood home. Our grandmother had taken my siblings in, and housed our family through our hardest times. We’ve been through so much heart ache, as well as losing our beautiful baby boy Santino Romero. He was the sweetest, happiest boy, our sunshine who had helped us through so much of our family loss before. He never knew hate, and he danced with the biggest smile on his face. Our boy was not the most vocal. But his smile, and emotions were louder than words could ever speak."
