Man Describes Desperate Attempt To Save Neighbors From Burning Home

By Stan Bush

DENVER (CBS4) - Dennis Henrikson ran to Ralph and Josie Andrade's front door when he saw that their house was on fire. By the time he got there the smoke was so thick he couldn't see inside.

"When I got to the front door there was so much smoke coming through, but I couldn't see so I drop down to the floor and called for Josie but got no response," Henrikson said.

The fire broke out Tuesday evening at the home on West Stanford Avenue, which is near the intersection of West Quincy Avenue and South Kipling Street.

Henrikson and his wife ran to the back of the house. They saw the couple trapped in a second floor bedroom. Henrikson grabbed two ladders as the fire grew.

"It was crawling up into the kitchen. The windows we're starting to pop," he said.

Josie Andrade was able to get down by one the ladders, but her husband, who was on dialysis, couldn't make the climb and fell to safety. Moments later the fire engulfed the ladders.

One person died. Rescuers could not get to 49-year-old Ralph Andrade Jr. who was bedridden with advanced multiple sclerosis. Six others were injured in the fire.

"They're family; known them for years, and when tragedy happens like this to two of the greatest people I know, it's devastating," Henrikson said.

The family is still being treated for injuries at two area hospitals.

Investigators believe the fire started in the basement, but a cause has still not been established.

The fire destroyed everything in the home. Family members started two funding sites to help cover them recover.

Additional Resources

To make a donation to help the family visit a GoFundMe page set up by the Andrades' daughter.

Charitable Fund For Monetary Donations:

Andrade Family Fund
Bank of the West
Routing #: 107002147
Account #: 041332412

Drop-Off Location For Items (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. until March 1):

Governor's Ranch Elementary School
5354 South Field Street
Littleton, CO 80123

-- Needed items: diapers, linens, clothing, furniture, household goods, gift cards ... etc.

Stan Bush is a general assignment reporter at CBS4. His stories can be seen on CBS4 News at 10. Read his bio and follow him on Twitter @StanBushTV.