Today in fire history: 9 dead, eight residents and five firefighters were injured in a board and care facility

On, March 4, 1991 a fire of accidental origin occurred at Crystal Springs Estate, a board and care facility, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Nine of the building's 25 elderly residents died during the fire. In addition, eight other residents and five firefighters were injured. The single-story masonry and wood structure, with two separate partial basements, was divided into three fire compartments by noncombustible walls, and the corridor openings in these walls were protected with fire doors. A fire alarm system using heat detectors as the primary initiating device protected all rooms, closets, and attic spaces. Manual pull stations and smoke...