More than one hundred firefighters are engaged in a desperate battle against a massive blaze in Denver, Colorado, described by officials as the city's most significant fire in years. The inferno has forced the evacuation of nearby families as intense heat radiates from the scene.
A 'Major' Three-Alarm Inferno
The fire erupted at 7.45pm local time on Friday night (2.45am Saturday, UK time) at a three-storey apartment complex under construction on Leetsdale Drive in southeast Denver. Denver Fire Division Chief of Operations, Robert Murphy, did not mince words when assessing the scale of the emergency, labelling it a "major" incident.
"It's major," Chief Murphy stated. "I can't tell you the last time in Denver we had a three-alarm fire this big." His comments underscore the severity of the situation, which prompted a massive response from emergency services.
Evacuations and Ongoing Firefighting Efforts
The sheer intensity of the flames posed a direct threat to residents in a neighbouring apartment building. Emergency services confirmed that some were advised to leave their homes due to the dangerous levels of heat emanating from the fire site. This precautionary evacuation highlights the blaze's ferocity and the primary concern for public safety.
Despite firefighters working tirelessly for over two hours after the initial outbreak, the fire continued to rage. The deployment of such a large force—over 100 firefighters—illustrates the considerable challenge faced in bringing the conflagration under control and preventing its spread.
Scene of the Blaze
The fire is centred on a residential construction site, a scenario that often presents unique hazards for fire crews, including unknown floor plans and potential structural vulnerabilities. The location on Leetsdale Drive has become the focus of a major emergency operation, with crews expected to remain on scene for an extended period to fully extinguish the hot spots and investigate the cause.
As the operation continues into the night, the priority remains the safety of residents and the firefighters on the front line. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the rapid devastation a major structural fire can cause and the critical role of emergency responders.
