FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. — A staff member at the Fremont Correctional Facility in Cañon City was killed Wednesday when a boiler exploded, according to a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC).
The victim was identified Thursday as 28-year-old Sergeant Joshua Voth.
The Canon City Area Fire Protection District on Facebook said just before noon Wednesday they responded to a boiler explosion at the East Cañon Complex. At the scene they found a boiler that had suffered a catastrophic failure, the post said.
Sgt. Voth had been with the department since 2016, according to the DOC. He was a husband and father of three young children who was beloved by his family, friends and his fellow DOC staff members. He was a Correctional Support Licensed Trade Supervisor who helped teach offenders valuable trade skills.
“It is hard to put into words the level of sadness we all feel to have lost Josh,” said DOC Executive Director Dean Williams. “His DOC family grieves with his wife, three precious children, and all of the friends and family who loved him. He will be dearly missed, but he will never be forgotten. Our primary concern continues to be ensuring his family have the support they need, and that as a department we are able to band together during this tragic time.”
The family is currently in the process of coordinating a donation fund, and DOC will provide information about that in the coming days.
The incident is currently under investigation by state and local officials and at this time no additional details are available regarding what caused the explosion.
Cañon City is about 115 miles south of Denver.
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