Smoldering trash sparked deadly Colo. wildfire

Blaze killed two firefighters and forced 1,200 residents to flee

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updated 4:35 a.m. ET April 19, 2008

ORDWAY, Colo. - A smoldering trash pile is being blamed for sparking a wildfire in a Colorado farming community that left two firefighters dead Tuesday.

No criminal charges are being recommended in the blaze in Ordway, Colorado, about 120 miles southeast of Denver. The fire torched at least eight homes and forced all 1,200 residents to flee.

The flames ignited dry grass under a wood-beamed bridge over a ditch on a state highway. The two volunteer firefighters were killed when their fire truck crashed through the weakened bridge and plunged into a ditch.

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The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has found no criminal acts by the private property owner.