Residents Jump From Balconies In Southeast Denver Apartment Fire

DENVER (CBS4) - Dozens of people were displaced from their apartments on Monday after a fire in which several residents had to jump off balconies.

The fire broke out just after 4 a.m. at the Kennedy Ridge Apartments on Havana and Dartmouth. It took crews a couple hours to get it under control.

Officials said at least two people jumped from their balconies to escape the flames and that one woman broke her leg.

"I saw one woman jumping from the front out the window. Another lady jumped out from the 3rd floor in the back of the building. They took her away in an ambulance. Otherwise everyone got out safely," said resident Blaine Keel.

"I walk out my bedroom door and the balcony was on fire and I opened the door to get out and I was going to get my car keys. They were just on the balcony but by that time the apartment was filled with black smoke, so I just turned around, came downstairs, and walked out the front door," said resident Marie Sears.

Twelve people were treated at the scene for minor injuries. One of those was injured while trying to catch someone who was jumping out of the burning building. Emergency crews took at least two people to the hospital.

The fire damaged five of the units. Others have smoke and water damage. A few residents say they never heard the smoke alarms go off. People who did wake up in time helped others by running down the hall and knocking on doors.

Firefighters say they're now having to deal with asbestos issues and are working to figure out what caused the fire.

The Red Cross was called out just before 7 a.m. to help people who have been displaced.

The same apartment complex caught fire in 2010. CBS4 reported about a man who had to use rock climbing equipment to escape from his balcony and save others from the fire.