March 19--Three people were hospitalized in a 3-alarm apartment fire in Colorado Springs Wednesday morning.
The fire was reported on the 2700 block of East Uintah Street, off South Circle Drive, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department. The fire started at 9:37 a.m. and was under control at 10:13 a.m., fire officials said.
Fire Chief Christopher Riley initially said two people were taken to the hospital with injuries. Riley didn't know how serious the injuries were. CSFD tweeted later that four people were taken to the hospital and nine were treated on scene, but Fire Lt. John Aker said three were hospitalized.
One of the fire victims was being treated for smoke inhalation at Penrose Hospital, officials said.
Two people were rescued from a second-story window, Riley said. Two apartment units were damaged by the fire and smoke damage was extensive in other units.
The apartment complex consists of 98 units in three buildings. The fire started on the third floor of one of them.
New Testament Christian Church, next door, opened its doors to the evacuees. Some were draped in blankets because of the cold.
Some brought their pets, including a man who had a cat in a carrier.
It will be several hours before they can return to their apartments.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Check www.gazette.com for updates.
Copyright 2014 - The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
