AURORA, Colo. — A fire and explosion at an Aurora residential building Saturday morning prompted authorities to evacuate the heavily-damaged building and ask residents to stay away.
Three people were injured and more than 300 residents have been displaced.
Aurora Fire Rescue responded to Parkside Collective apartments, 14565 East Alameda Ave., to reports of smoke conditions at the complex.
The fire department said an explosion occurred on the building's west side after crews arrived and began searching for hazards.
Parkside resident Alison Goodwin heard the explosion after evacuating from the building.
"So I started walking by and then I heard a loud noise. I just kept walking and saying [to myself], 'don't look back! Don't look back! That's your life in there. That's your kid. It's all your kid's clothes.' So I kept walking," Goodwin said.
She and her family made it out safely.
The three injured parties were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their injuries are not considered severe.
Crews said they found structural damage to the five-story building, but the exact extent isn't entirely known.
Red Cross has been called in to assist those impacted. An evacuation center has been set up at Gateway High School, 1300 South Sable Blvd.
The cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation.
