Home a total loss in Creede fire

CREEDE— On Friday, Oct. 6, a home in Rivercrest Acres caught fire and burned to the ground. Residents Mark and Colleen DeSanto’s home southwest of Creede caught fire in mid-afternoon.
According to Mineral County Sheriff Fred Hosselkus the fire is still under investigation at this time. Hosselkus stated that initial investigations showed that the fire began somewhere behind the garage near the family’s woodpile. Due to extremely high winds on that day, the home was a total loss. “We think it started in the vicinity of the woodpile behind the garage and because the house was made of a certain material, it created a lot of black smoke which made it hard to fight,” said Hosselkus.
Colleen DeSanto stated, “we got our vehicles out, an ATV/trailer, Mark’s hand-built drift boat, two cats and the clothes on our backs.” Mark’s hands are badly burned, but he has been released from the hospital and the DeSantos were planning on returning to Creede on Wednesday.
Fire Investigator Don Chapman from Alamosa Fire District is working with the local fire department to finish the investigation.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family, stating the following: “Our dear friends, Colleen and Mark DeSanto, in our tiny community of Creede, CO, have just experienced the most incredible tragedy of losing their home to fire. The house, workshop and garage were a total loss. The fire engulfed their home and every memory inside it. They both built this dream home with their own hands with the vision of sharing it with everyone, which they did.
Colleen lost her art studio and much of her beautiful artwork. Mark lost his extensive workshop, which was used to build their house and most of the interior furnishings. Mark was hospitalized for burns sustained while trying to save as many family memories as possible.
Mark and Colleen have given to so many in our community that we would like to do everything possible to help them rebuild their lives. Please contribute what you can to help them get through this terrible tragedy.”
Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/desanto-recovery-fund.