UPDATE: Victim of House Fire Told Police Someone Was Trying to Kill Him

One of the men burned in a West Des Moines house fire Friday morning had reported to police on Saturday that he smelled gasoline inside the house and believed someone was trying to kill him.

Bosco Codello, 36, and his cousin, Segundo Medardo Cordova, 43, rent a house at 414 34th St. which caught fire about 4 a.m. Friday morning. 

Homeowner Karla Swanson, 54, was not home at the time, according to West Des Moines police.

The two men were burned as they raced through flames to escape, West Des Moines Fire Marshal Mike Whitsell said. The house was fully engulfed in fire when they awoke and ran to a neighbor's house to make the 911 call.

The house did not appear to have a working smoke alarm, Whitsell said.

"They had to go through the fire and get out," he said. "They are very fortunate – No. 1, that they made it out, and No. 2, their injuries were not worse."

Cordova woke up first, authorities said, and ran into Codello’s room to wake him up.

Bosco had visible burn marks along his arm and on the top of his head. He is being treated at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, police said.

Segundo had hair on the top of his head burned and was taken to Broadlawns Hospital for treatment.

According to a West Des Moines police report, Segundo called the department at 11:49 p.m. Saturday to report a strong smell of gasoline within the house. He told an officer he thinks someone is trying to kill him and his cousin. Bosco and Segundo each told the officer that they have no enemies, no problems with anyone, nor do they have any idea whom might have started the fire.

Firefighters responded from the 35th Street and Ashworth Road station and were on the scene quickly after the frantic 911 call. The fire was "well advanced" and the house is extensively damaged, Whitesell said.

Central Iowa Red Cross was on the scene Friday morning to help the victims with temporary housing and other assistance. 

"They have nothing but what they were wearing," Whitsell said. "They have lost just about everything."

Whitsell said the fire is a reminder of the importance of having working smoke alarms – a key message fire officials give during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-13.

"They are exremely lucky they woke up from the fire and were able to get out," Whitsell said. "It appears they did not have working smoke detectors. Most fires do happen in the home, and people need to check their detectors to make sure they are working."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Patch will update this story as more details become available.