LAKEWOOD, Colo. --
For the second time in less than a decade, fire broke out at the Timberleaf Apartments in Lakewood.
West Metro Fire spokeswoman Michelle French said crews were already in the area when they noticed smoke at the apartment complex near West 13th Avenue and Garrison Street just before 6 a.m. Sunday. When they investigated further, they found fire and smoke coming from an apartment.
French said the first hydrant firefighters tried to access was dead. Because they had so many crews on the scene, she said they were able to access another water line quickly.
A second alarm was called out for the fire, but that was because of the size of the apartment complex, French said.
The fire was primarily contained to one unit, although crews were checking other units for possible extension.
About 25 people were displaced temporarily, mostly because electricity was shut off to the building. The Red Cross was called in to assist them. Crews were assessing when those people could return to their apartments, but French said the three people living in the unit with most of the damage would be displaced for a longer period of time.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The same complex was heavily damaged by fire in 2005. Investigators determined that two 7-year-olds playing with a lighter caused that fire.
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