One Dead, Others Fight For Life After Explosion Levels Pueblo Restaurant
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Updated: 6:44 PM Nov 14, 2008
One Dead, Others Fight For Life After Explosion Levels Pueblo Restaurant
UPDATE: Fire investigators in Pueblo have returned to the scene of a deadly building explosion Friday morning to figure out a cause.
Posted: 2:34 PM Nov 13, 2008
Reporter: Leslie Fichera
Email Address: LFichera@kktv.com
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Rescue crews pull out a man trapped under the rubble for more than four hours after an explosion completely levels a restaurant in Pueblo, CO.
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A huge explosion Thursday completely leveled The Branch Inn located at Union and C Street in Pueblo, killing one woman and injuring seven others.

Police say the call came in at about 2:15 p.m. that there had been an explosion on the roof of the restaurant located at 301 S. Union Avenue and the roof had collapsed.

Officials say two women were pulled from the rubble initially after being trapped for a time. One of those women, 22-year-old AshleyJohnson, later died at the hospital. The other woman, Jennifer Flower, was airlifted to Denver and is in good condition Friday.

After being trapped for more than four hours rescue crews pulled Eugene Roney, 74, from deep within the rubble. He was taken to Parkview Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. Rescue crews say Roney was believed to be inside the building when it exploded and it is a miracle he is alive.

Another victim, 41-year-old Frank Vigil, also remains at Parkview in fair condition. Three other victims were treated and released. One person remains at St. Mary Corwin Medical Center. Their names have not been released.

There are a number of small boutiques in the area. One building next to the Branch Inn was also severely damaged by the blast, causing the roof to partially collapsed.

The Pueblo Fire Department says the explosion also completely blew out the windows in neighboring buildings.

Fire investigators in Pueblo are returning to the scene of the deadly explosion Friday morning to figure out a cause.

Fire officials say the damage is consistent with what could be a natural gas explosion, but they have not confirmed that yet.

The building is on the historical register in Pueblo. A new roof was installed just this year in April, 2008, as well as a new heater and cooling system in 2007.

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Latest Comments

Posted by: Claudia Location: Pueblo on Nov 6, 2009 at 01:15 AM

It's almost been a year since the tradgedy...I would give ANYTHING if I could go bacc to The Branch and sit on my barstool and talk to my bartenders. I called that place home!!! I'm 28 yrs old and I didn't know where to spend my birthday this year since it wasn't there like it was the year before...and yeah I partied there with the Banditos...and??? Me and the Wife were regulars there...we never saw any drama or fights. There were many who called me and the Wife that November 13th just to checc if we were ok. I Love Frank and Carl and see them on a regular to this day. People can think what they want but The Branch Inn brought much Joy to many people all ages, shapes and sizes!!! The point is...it was a tradgedy!!! Some lost their lives and some were hurt!!! That's what matters most!!! I will always cherish the memories I had and friends I made there!!!
Posted by: anita Location: southside,pueblo on Nov 16, 2008 at 04:16 PM

to all u people talkin down on the branch my aunt shirley used to cook it up frank n carl tryd so hard too n were doin good meth lab yeah rite biker bar gangsterbar whatever my cousins never turned no one away everyone was welcome there may have been fights but look at all da other bars around town u dont c them gettin exploited like that MY HEART N PRAYERS ARE WITH THE JOHNSON FAMILY,N ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED
Posted by: sweetcocotd on Nov 16, 2008 at 10:45 AM

This is a time for Pueblo to band together and be strong. All of the negative comments are not necessary...at all. God watch over the inviduals involved especially Ashley's family who need you more than the world right now. Worrying about the type of bar or the people that hung out there are petty things right now. Pray for the families thats what is needed and should be done.
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