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Denver firefighters pluck residents from balconies

By Ashleigh Oldland
The Rocky Mountain News

DENVER — When Denver firefighters responded to a fire Wednesday evening at 1255 Bellaire St., the smoke was so thick they barely could see the building’s balconies.

Firefighters were able to rescue people from the balconies, but a few people were injured and treated at the scene.

Two victims were taken to local hospitals. Their conditions were not available.

The blaze spread quickly from unit 212, and some witnesses reported hearing an explosion. The fire’s cause was under investigation, but officials said that oxygen tanks used by a home oxygen patient may have contributed to the flames’ intensity.

Crews were able to extinguish the flames after about half an hour.Conditions of the victims transported to hospitals were unavailable.

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