The blaze in the two-story home began Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. Authorities determined early on that it was intentional and began investigating the murder, said Joe Montoya, division chief of investigations at the Denver Police Department.
Investigators are checking several cameras in the area for evidence.
The victims were members of one Senegalese family. Djibril and Adja Diol and their 3-year-old daughter, Kadidia, died along with Hassan Diol and their foster daughter, Hawa Beye. Djibril Diol was an engineer and the brother of Hassan Diol.
A police officer tried to rescue people from the house but was repulsed by the heat from the flames, said Captain Greg Pixley of the Denver Fire Department.
Researchers said they are looking at all options.
“We have to take it very openly and look at every possible angle. And if at any time we determine that it was hate-motivated or bias-motivated, then we will definitely share that with the community,” Montoya said.
Asked what police thought was the cause of the fire, Montoya said, “I can not go into details at this time. We are confident in the expertise of the Denver Fire Department investigators, the ATF and some of the evidence gathered on the scene. “
The Colorado Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations has urged researchers to consider the possibility of bias motive.
“Because the family members who perished in this tragedy are members of minority and immigrant communities, it would only be prudent to investigate the possibility of a bias motive,” said Krista Cole, acting chairman of CAIR-Colorado.
“I want to assure her neighbors and loved ones that we will move quickly to determine what is causing this tragedy,” he said.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $ 14,000 for information about the fire.
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