Evacuations were carried out for families as a massive fire, described as the largest in the city in years, erupted on Leetsdale Drive in Denver, Colorado. Over 100 firefighters were at the scene battling the blaze at a three-story apartment complex under construction, which the head of the fire department labeled as a “major” incident. The fire began at 7:45 pm local time on Friday night.
Robert Murphy, the division chief of operations for Denver Fire, stated that it was a significant event, noting that such a large-scale three-alarm fire had not been seen in Denver for quite some time. Some residents of a nearby apartment complex were advised to evacuate due to the intense heat radiating from the fire.
The building, in the early to mid-stages of construction, contained plastic materials used for wrapping and construction. Authorities reported that the fire is approximately 70% contained, with firefighters expected to remain on the scene overnight to extinguish any remaining hot spots. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
In a separate incident, a nightclub fire in Switzerland claimed the lives of over 40 individuals, including a 16-year-old boy and his group of friends who are currently missing. The distraught mother of one of the missing individuals expressed her anguish over the situation, hoping for any news of her son’s whereabouts.
The fire in Denver led to power outages affecting around 1,000 Xcel Energy customers in the area. Nearby businesses, like Sam’s No. 3 Glendale, had to close early due to the power loss. Additional fire departments, including Aurora’s, provided assistance to the Denver Fire Department.
Speaking at the scene, Mr. Murphy highlighted the extensive damage caused by the fire and emphasized the challenges faced due to the lack of fire containment systems in the building. Firefighters continued their efforts to control the flames, with Denver Water increasing water pressure in the area to aid in the firefighting operation. Footage showed the intensity of the blaze as the under-construction building collapsed.
Evacuations of nearby families were conducted, with reports of at least one firefighter being injured and hospitalized. The Denver Police Department closed a major thoroughfare in both directions due to the ongoing emergency. The fire also resulted in significant power outages, prompting the opening of a temporary shelter in Glendale.