Man Rushed To Hospital As Flames Shoot Out Of Apartment
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Flames shot out of one apartment in a complex in Aurora on Sunday afternoon while residents rushed to escape the two-alarm fire. One man was taken to the hospital.
The fire broke out about 4 p.m. Sunday at the Santana Ridge complex near Idaho and Galena in Aurora.
The man who lived in the burning apartment was able to scream for help and eventually got away from the flames. He suffered moderate injuries including smoke inhalation and burns to his hands and arm.
"I came out and saw smoke and had to gather up everything, calling 911 all at the same time. And running out of the house with the dog," said resident Evette Eldridge.
One man living on the first floor told CBS4 he didn't hear the smoke alarm but smelled the smoke coming from the fire. Others heard the man screaming for help.
"I heard him hollering and screaming and saying, 'There's fire, I need help, I need help' and I heard glass breaking. The next thing I know we're all out of the house," said Eldridge.
Firefighters starting attacking the fire near the balcony and another crew was sent to the roof.
"We'll send a ladder truck company on top with a chainsaw to cut a hole in the roof to act like a chimney," said Aurora Fire Department spokesman Lt. Tony Krenz.
Krenz said venting the fire likely saved other apartments from damage, "What this does is makes the fire go up instead of sideways, saving more units."
A total of seven fire trucks responded to the two-alarm fire. Some are thankful there weren't more units lost or that anyone was seriously hurt.
"Very thankful, I'm glad I came out alive," said Eldridge.
Fire investigators said the fire started when the man fell asleep while cooking.
Two units were damaged but one suffered heavy smoke damage and the family hopes they can return in a few days.
