Box Elder burn victim still recovering

Investigation over cause of deadly structure fire continues.

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Tuesday, December 02, 2008

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The Box Elder kindergartener burned in a pre-dawn Nov. 25 house fire is improving, talking with relatives at his Denver hospital bedside and by phone with relatives in South Dakota.

"He's one of the most wonderful fighters in all the world," Jim Griffin of Box Elder said Monday of his great-grandnephew Desmond Siers.

Griffin wasn't sure when the five-year-old would be released from the hospital or when the family would return. But he said the little boy is determined to get well.

"He's doing wonderful," Griffin said.

Desmond suffered burns over 23 percent of his body in a fire that claimed his sister Breanna Siers, 10, who died of smoke inhalation.

The fire destroyed the mobile home of Brandi and Desmond Siers. Brandi and children Kaylonie, 14, and Imary, 1, escaped, as did family friend Matthew McPherson, 19, who suffered severe burns to his hands, back and feet while trying to save the Siers' children. The elder Desmond Siers was not home at the time.

The Siers family and maternal grandmother Joni Goff remain at the burn unit of the Denver Children's Hospital, waiting for little Desmond to recover.

Pennington County fire administrator Denny Gorton said Monday that the investigation into the fire's cause is continuing. He said deputy state fire marshal Cliff Dahl needs additional information from Brandi Siers before a report can be released.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.