Fire and Explosion at Denver Senior Living Facility Forces Evacuations
Explosion Causes Chaos at Denver Retirement Community
An explosion rocked the Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Campus in Denver when construction workers accidentally struck a power line, causing a transformer to fail catastrophically. The blast was powerful enough to be felt throughout the facility, immediately triggering fire alarms and initiating an emergency response from the Denver Fire Department.
Resident Barbara Hinchey described the terrifying moment, stating, “I felt the boom. It rocked my chair, so I knew when the fire alarm came on that it was real.”
Medical Response and Evacuations
Ten individuals required hospitalization following the explosion and fire, though the full extent of their injuries has not been disclosed. Emergency medical personnel worked diligently to assess all residents and staff, prioritizing those most affected by smoke inhalation or trauma from the blast.
A total of 87 residents were displaced from their homes as the facility became uninhabitable due to fire, smoke, and water damage. Many elderly residents had to navigate through dense smoke during the evacuation, creating heightened anxiety and confusion in an already chaotic situation.
Community Response and Temporary Housing
The American Red Cross of Colorado immediately mobilized to assist the displaced seniors, many of whom left with only the clothes they were wearing. Red Cross volunteers worked alongside facility staff to coordinate temporary housing options and meet the immediate needs of the vulnerable population.
By Wednesday evening, officials confirmed that all displaced residents had been successfully relocated to temporary housing facilities or picked up by family members. The rapid and coordinated response from emergency services and community organizations demonstrated effective disaster management despite the challenging circumstances.
Investigations into the construction accident that led to the power line strike are ongoing. Safety protocols for construction work near residential facilities, particularly those housing vulnerable populations, will likely face increased scrutiny following this incident.
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