1 person injured, 1 dog dies in fire at apartment complex in SE Denver

DENVER – One person was burned and taken to a hospital, and a dog was killed, in a second-alarm fire at an apartment complex in southeast Denver Friday, according to the Denver Fire Department.

The DFD worked with South Metro Fire Rescue to extinguish the fire at the apartment complex at 1885 South Quebec Way. The fire started around 11:45 a.m. Photos and videos from the scene from the initial stages of the fire fight showed at least one building had been damaged, and at least one building whose entire side had been burned off.

South Metro Fire Rescue said just before noon that the fire was affecting both floors at the apartment complex.

By 12:30 p.m., crews were still actively putting water on the fire, and smoke could still be seen coming from the building. And by 12:40 p.m., Denver Fire said the main body of the fire was knocked down, but firefighters were still looking for sparks and embers.

By 1:55 p.m., the fire was under control, DFD said. The person who suffered minor burns also suffered "significant smoke inhalation," the fire department said.

One dog died in the fire and five others were rescued, DFD said. Four units of the complex were destroyed and four others were significantly damaged, according to DFD spokesperson Greg Pixley.

South Metro Fire Rescuesaid the fire extended to an outbuilding next door and into trees, a fence and a vehicle. Some power lines that were also hit by flames led to Xcel Energy turning off electricity.

The Red Cross is assisting the people whose homes were damaged or destroyed, Pixley said.

The Denver Fire Department will handle the investigation into the fire.