LITTLETON, Colo. -- Thirteen people were injured, three of them seriously, when a fire broke out inside a unit at the Windermere senior apartment community just east of downtown Littleton early Saturday morning.
Residents were evacuated and were being sheltered at 5804 S. Datura Street as fire crews worked to ventilate the building and help everyone to safety, South Metro Fire Rescue officials said, adding the fire was considered a "mass casualty incident" due to the number of patients and potential patients at the large senior housing building.
In total, approximately 100 first responders were at the scene of the blaze.
Update - 7 patients transported to the hospital, firefighters ventilating smoke before residents can safely be inside their apartments. 10 Engines, 4 Ladder Trucks, 13 Ambulances called to the scene from several agencies. Approximately 100 first responders on scene. pic.twitter.com/oOxgMWN6NH
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) November 17, 2018
Denver7 reporter Connor Wist spoke to officials at the scene, who said the fire started a little after 5 a.m. Saturday.
They said one person was able to make it out of the unit by jumping from a balcony and another was rescued by a firefighter.
A fire official told Wist that two years ago, another fire broke out in the attached building to the complex. In that incident, people were not able to go back to their homes for months.
Investigators said ten engines, four ladder trucks and 13 ambulances were called to the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
RELATED HEADLINES --
Explosion results in multiple-structure fire at Heather Gardens in Aurora; at least 2 injured