Young Child Dies in Greeley Fire – Parents Charged With Child Abuse
A young girl died in a mobile home fire in Greeley on Saturday. The blaze happened at 11:52 yesterday morning at 711 26th Ave. Three people were transported to North Colorado Medical Center. One of the fire victims, Lileigh Kellenaers, died at the hospital. She would have been 4-years-old this month.
According to the Greeley Police Department, mother Kristen Braig and boyfriend Dustin Blanchard, were arrested after being treated at the hospital. They had left the child home alone. Police say that is when the fire started. Braig and Blanchard are charged with child abuse - criminal negligence resulting in death.
When Greeley Fire Department firefighters arrived, all occupants were out of the home and Greeley Police Officers were assisting them with first aid. Fire crews immediately assisted with care of the victims while other crew members began an aggressive attack on the fire. A second alarm was called to bring more personnel and equipment to the scene to assist because of the extremely harsh cold weather conditions. A total of 27 fire personnel were able to bring the fire under control within 30 minutes.
Nearby homes sustained some minor fire and heat damage. The home where the fire occurred is a complete loss.