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1 Dead, 1 Missing In Building Under Construction Fire

DENVER (CBS4)- One person was killed and another was still missing in a fire at a building under construction near downtown Denver on Wednesday afternoon.

Six others were injured in the fire, including one firefighter.

Fatal Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: CBS)

Copter4 flew over the building on fire at 18th Avenue and Emerson Street. The fire was reported at 12:09 p.m. by construction workers on the third floor.

Denver Fire Captain Greg Pixley said two people at the construction site remained unaccounted for at 1:30 p.m. That was updated at 4:30 p.m. to reflect that one of those missing was found deceased on the property. The search continued for the other person who remained missing.

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Copter4 flew over the fire on Wednesday afternoon (credit: CBS)

Firefighters rushed to put out the fire which had consumed the entire building under construction and was putting out a lot of thick, heavy black smoke.

About 100 firefighters were on scene along with several fire engines, many of them ladder trucks, spraying water on the burning building. Some 50 construction workers were working at the site when the fire began.

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(credit: CBS)

Fire crews were seen spraying nearby buildings with their hoses. The building where the fire started was a total loss.

Construction Fire Update

Building under construction is located near 18th and Emerson, not far from the State Capitol

Posted by CBS Denver on Wednesday, March 7, 2018

A neighboring building was also damaged by fire. Four nearby buildings were saved from significant damage by firefighters.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fire At Denver Construction Site

A total of 40 vehicles parked in a nearby lot were damaged, some had windows shattered and the tires either exploded or were melted.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: CBS)

Construction equipment at the scene was also damaged.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: Denver Fire)

An estimate of just how much damage was caused will be tallied once the investigation is complete.

High Rise Fire In Denver: Building is located near 18th and Emerson, not far from the State Capitol

BREAKING NEWS: Major fire at apartment complex under construction in Denver. Location is near 18th and Emerson, not far from the State Capitol. http://cbsloc.al/2oPIcei

Posted by CBS Denver on Wednesday, March 7, 2018

"You could feel the heat as far away as the Midtown Medical Building," said Pixley.

fire 18th and park avenue
(credit: CBS)

Flames were seen shooting from the building located at 1833 Emerson for several minutes. It took fire crews more than a half an hour to put out the flames on the building that was under construction.

Copter Wednesday Emerson fire 1230pm_frame_17139
(credit: CBS)

The building was slated to be a five-story apartment building with 84 units that was going to be called "Emerson Place."

denver fire
(credit: Alan Franklin)

The thick, black smoke could be seen for miles in and around downtown Denver, even after crews began dousing the flames with water.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: CBS)

RELATED: Ash From Construction Fire Floats More Than A Mile Away

Copter Wednesday Emerson fire 1230pm_frame_9854
(credit: CBS)

Pixley said there were six people injured, including was one person who was critically injured and a firefighter who was injured. Both were transported to Denver Health where they were treated. Four others were treated for smoke inhalation and for injuries suffered from jumping from the second or third floors to escape the fire.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
Fire seen from St. Joseph's Hospital. (credit: Sam Ng)

Those injured include those who also attempted to catch those who jumped from the burning building.

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(credit: CBS)

Pixley urged anyone who saw the fire to call the Denver Fire Department to report what they may have seen.

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Denver Fire Capt. Greg Pixley (credit: CBS)

"We're working diligently to make sure these people are found," said Pixley.

They are urged to call 720.337.2800 to report what they saw leading up to the fire. So far, investigators had received about 100 calls as of 3 p.m.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: CBS)

"We're going to be working for a long time to reduce the risk of sparks," said Pixley.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: CBS)

"This is going to be a very extensive, in-depth investigation. We won't have the answers today or tomorrow, but we will have them," said Pixley.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: Denver Fire Department)

The public was urged to stay away from the area to give firefighters room to completely extinguish the fire and continue with their investigation. Denver Fire was expected to say on scene until well into the night on Wednesday.

Several businesses surrounding the block where the fire happened remained closed.

Fire At Denver Construction Site
(credit: CBS)
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