DENVER — Eight people were hospitalized after an explosion inside an assisted living facility in Denver, and nearly 90 people have been displaced.
The Denver Fire Department (DFD) said it responded to a structure fire around Quebec Street and High Line Smith Way, the department posted on social media around 11:30 a.m. This is just north of the intersection of E. Yale Avenue and S. Quebec Street.
Firefighters found that a transformer had caught fire near the Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Campus but the flames had not reached the building, which is a large nursing and assisted living facility.
An explosion was reported inside the building, the DFD said.
Luis Cedillo, a captain with the DFD, said construction was underway at the time and there is a "high probability" that it could be related, but that remain speculation until arson investigators make a final determination. Shortly afterward, the DFD confirmed that during construction work Wednesday, "a power line was accidentally struck," which resulted in the explosion and transformer fire.
"We know that they needed immediate care and crews were able to quickly work with Denver Health and other EMS agencies and we were able to transport them as quickly as possible," Cedillo said.
It's not yet clear how, or if, the fire and explosion are connected.
Eight people were transported to a hospital, the fire department said. Two others were evaluated at the scene and cleared. The department did not have information on any injuries.
Officials added that 87 people have been displaced. As of publishing time, residents are not allowed back inside and it is not clear when or if they will be allowed to do so.
The Red Cross said it's activated a disaster action team to respond to the retirement home and is working with displaced residents to identify short-term housing.
The department notified Xcel Energy, police said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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