A major fire, described by officials as the largest seen in Denver for years, has led to the evacuation of nearby families and prompted a massive emergency response involving more than 100 firefighters.
A 'Major' Three-Alarm Inferno
The blaze erupted at 7.45pm local time on Friday night (2.45am Saturday UK time) at a three-storey apartment complex that was under construction on Leetsdale Drive in southeast Denver, Colorado. Fire crews were immediately dispatched to the scene as flames quickly took hold of the structure.
Robert Murphy, the Division Chief of Operations for Denver Fire, did not mince words when assessing the situation. "It's major," he stated. "I can't tell you the last time in Denver we had a three-alarm fire this big." The declaration of a three-alarm fire signifies a severe incident requiring substantial additional resources and personnel.
Evacuations and Intensive Firefighting Efforts
Due to the intense heat radiating from the colossal fire, residents of a neighbouring apartment building were advised to leave their homes as a precautionary measure. Emergency services confirmed the evacuation to ensure public safety.
More than two hours after the fire first broke out, firefighters were still engaged in a relentless battle to contain and extinguish the flames. The sheer scale of the operation, involving over 100 firefighters, underscores the severity of the incident and the challenges faced by crews on the ground.
Ongoing Response and Community Impact
The fire on Leetsdale Drive represents a significant emergency event for the city of Denver. The focus for authorities remains fully on bringing the inferno under control, preventing its spread, and ensuring the safety of all residents in the vicinity.
As the operation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by large-scale construction fires and the critical role of emergency services. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and assessments of the damage will follow once the blaze is fully subdued.
