Firefighters continue to battle construction fire
On Sunday evening, firefighters in Aurora continued to battle the blaze that shut down the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Peoria Street on Saturday.
Hot spots that continue to rise in the burning apartment building have put firefighters on the defense, preventing them from entering the construction site.
No one has been in the apartment complex since Saturday afternoon, when crews were forced to withdraw due to the fire’s intensity and danger, said Aurora Fire Rescue spokesperson Dawn Small in an emailed statement on Sunday.
As long as the investigation is in progress, the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Peoria Street will remain closed, which could take days, said Matthew Longshore, spokesperson for the Aurora Police Department.
“Investigators will not be able to get into the structure until crews can determine that it is safe for them to enter, and after heavy equipment can be used to remove debris and identify the origin and cause of the fire,” Small stated in the email.
Up to 18 different crews were still working at the scene at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Small. The fire continues to be a multiagency operation, including the Denver Fire Department, South Adams Fire, South Metro Fire Rescue and the Rattlesnake Fire Protection District.
As of Sunday evening, no evacuations for nearby homes or businesses had been ordered, and the Link Apartments Fitz — developed by Grubb Properties — remained the only damaged structure.
Small stated Sunday that the area surrounding the construction fire may experience power issues over the next several days as crews work to secure the scene for the safety of firefighters and ground operations.
The American Red Cross is available to assist those affected by the fire and can be reached at 1- 800-7332767 or online at redcross. org.