One firefighter sustained minor injuries while battling a five-alarm fire at an apartment complex under construction in Aurora, Colorado. The incident occurred on December 16, 2023, at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Peoria Street. According to Aurora Fire Rescue, authorities received the emergency call just before 1 p.m. Saturday.
The intensity of the fire forced firefighters to switch from an offensive strategy to a defensive one, prioritizing their safety. As a result, the fire was escalated from a two-alarm to a five-alarm, activating additional resources to aid in the suppression efforts. A total of 42 resources from six fire agencies were deployed to combat the blaze.
The flames and smoke were visible for miles, leading many bystanders to capture the incident through pictures and videos shared on social media. Despite the scale of the fire, no residents were living in the multifamily building, and no individuals were present at the site at the time of the incident.
Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames, using aerial ladders well into the evening to address any remaining hot spots. The fire’s impact was significant, with its effects visible in the surrounding area.
The apartment complex, known as Link Apartment Fitz and owned by Grubb Properties, aimed to provide essential housing options with 405 units for workers, students, and other members of the growing community. Grubb Properties expressed their gratitude to all the fire departments that assisted in extinguishing the fire and stated they would cooperate with authorities in determining the cause of the incident.
Aurora Fire Rescue reported that the injured firefighter did not require hospitalization and is currently recovering. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by firefighters when dealing with large-scale fires. The authorities involved will continue to monitor the situation and assess damages in the coming days.
