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Apartments Damaged By Fire Reopening After Extensive Renovations

DENVER (CBS4) - Eight months and more than $1 million later, some apartments in Denver destroyed by a fire are opening for residents again.

federal view apartments fire
(credit: CBS)

On Tuesday the owner allowed a CBS4 crew inside the building, which is located at 26th and Federal Boulevard.

The fire broke out on Easter and injured 11 people. A nonprofit property redevelopment group has finished work on the first two floors and hopes to have the third floor finished in time for Christmas.

Apartment
(credit: CBS)

Property managers say they're happy to get these tenants back in their homes in time for the holidays.

"This is full circle being able to come back in a place where they probably did have some anxiety with return, but to come back to a community that's fully restored, looks great, and give them a home that they can be proud of," said Jeff Martinez, president of Brothers Redevelopment.

"Over the past nine months we've worked to house each and every one of them since they were displaced. No tenants who lived here when the fire occurred were ever homeless," Martinez said.

Kenneth Shepard
Kenneth Shepard (credit: Denver Fire)

Kenneth Shepard, the man accused of starting the fire, is set to be arraigned on arson charges later this month.

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