Victim Identified In Pueblo Restaurant Explosion
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Updated: 10:52 PM Nov 14, 2008
Victim Identified In Pueblo Restaurant Explosion
Officials have confirmed that 22-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed Thursday in the explosion that leveled a Pueblo restaurant.
Posted: 11:20 AM Nov 14, 2008
Reporter: Leslie Fichera
Email Address: LFichera@kktv.com
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Officials have confirmed that 22-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed Thursday in the explosion that leveled a Pueblo restaurant.

Officials say Johnson was one of two women pulled from the rubble shortly after the explosion. Johnson died at the hospital. The other woman, Jennifer Flower, was airlifted to Denver and is in good condition Friday.

Johnson and Flower were inside the boutique next door to the Branch Inn when it exploded. The explosion was so powerful that it caused the roof of the boutique to collapse. It's difficult now to tell the difference between the two buildings as rubble is strewn downtown.

Several other victims were hurt in the explosion as well.

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

Another victim, the co-owner of the Branch Inn, 41-year-old Frank Vigil, also remains at Parkview in fair condition.

Three other victims were treated at a hospital and released. One person remains at St. Mary Corwin Medical Center. Their names have not been released.

KKTV is continuing to follow this story. Stay with 11 News and KKTV.com for the latest information.

To read more on this story, click on the links below.

Latest Comments

Posted by: ty Location: pueblo west on Nov 14, 2008 at 03:36 PM

Our hearts go out to the families of those victims of the devastating branch inn, especially to the family of Ashley Johnson who was lost in this tragedy. May god keep you all safe and help you through this extremely difficult time.
Posted by: A. Location: Walsenburg on Nov 14, 2008 at 12:27 PM

Thank you for your coverage of yesterdays devastating event. Please don't forget to acknowledge our local American Red Cross for being there, as always to support our responders. And, please don't forget to ask our local communities to forward donations to our local Red Cross so they can continue to be there for all of us in times of disaster. There ability to respond is dependent on you as the media and on me and others with our financial support. I understand they were also instrumental in contacting a military family member of the deceased.
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