x
Breaking News
More () »

5 injured as residents jump from windows to escape Aurora apartment fire

The Red Cross said about 100 people were displaced by the blaze. The organization has opened a shelter to help.

AURORA, Colo. — Five people are hurt and dozens are without homes after a two-alarm blaze at an apartment complex in Aurora Saturday evening.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing children and adults jumping from third floor windows to escape the flames. 

"Either chance breaking a bone or two or losing your life, it’s an option you got to gamble with," said Shaleem Wilson, who tossed his dog Apollo to safety and then climbed out the window himself to escape the fire. 

Aurora Fire Rescue tweeted at 5:45 p.m. that they were working a structure fire at a large multi-family residential complex on East Exposition Avenue, called the Park Place at Expo Apartments. That's located just east of Havana Street and south of East Alameda Avenue.

The fire department said crews contained the fire to a few apartments and the shared hallways. 

Five people were hurt. Aurora Fire said one person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, two went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and two others were treated and released at the scene.

"I was running for my life because the smoke was too much, so I can't even breathe," said Soki Pande. He said he was too scared to jump out of the window — he only had time to grab his phone before running through the smoke-filled hallway. 

"I don't even have anything. All my stuff, everything is inside," he said.

The Red Cross opened a shelter at Village East Elementary School, 1433 S. Oakland Street, Aurora, CO and reported it is helping approximately 100 people from 48 different units. The fire department estimated about 60 units were affected. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

SUGGESTED VIDEOSLatest from 9NEWS  

9NEWS+ 

Watch more from 9NEWS on the free 9NEWS+ app for Roku and Fire TV.

9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.

To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.

To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS.

RELATED: Watch 9NEWS for free on ROKU, Apple TV, Fire TV

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER

Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n 

> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.

Before You Leave, Check This Out