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Uber Driver Unsuccessful In Attempt To Save Man Who Fell Trying To Escape Fire

By Jennifer Brice

DENVER (CBS4) - A man fell to his death while trying to escape an apartment fire in Denver Wednesday morning. Three others were rescued from the roof of the burning building.

The fire broke out at 12:45 a.m. at the Federal apartment complex, near the intersection of West 38th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. When firefighters arrived, they found a man on the ground outside the apartment.

Tenants of the building said they ran through the smoke-filled hallways to bang on doors and get everyone out.

Carole Coleman says the smoke was overwhelming.

"There was no way I could get through that front door," she said.

Coleman escaped from her apartment to the roof.

fatal federal fire
(credit: CBS)

Witnesses said they saw the man hanging from the window, screaming for help. That's when Ernie DeHerrera, an Uber driver, was passing by and stopped to help the man.

"I did what I could to help and the CPR didn't work," he said.

A neighbor tried to pull his pickup truck under the man to help brace his fall but he was too late.

Firefighters administered CPR when they arrived but were unable to save the man's life.

Three tenants were treated for smoke inhalation, while three others were rescued from the adjoining building, on the roof of a barber shop.

fatal apt fire
(credit: CBS)

"The smoke was coming through the cracks. So when I opened the door I couldn't get through. I couldn't even see, it just took my breath and I told my two daughters, I said, 'Get up, we've got to get out of here,'" said Coleman. "And then we got up on the roof and the guy was lying there. I just didn't know what was happening but he was already dead when they got here. He fell out the window."

The fire was contained to the second floor unit where the fire broke out, the unit from which the man jumped.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Tenants say crews opened an arson investigation looking into the possibility that the fire was started by the victim.

There are seven occupied units in the building. It is unclear when residents will be allowed to return home. One concern that could keep residents displaced is evidence of asbestos. The Red Cross is helping those displaced with housing.

Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.

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