AURORA | One person was critically injured and seven residents were displaced in two separate residential fires Wednesday in north Aurora, according to fire officials.
The first fire was reported just after 2 p.m. near East 21st Avenue and Altura Street. Multiple 911 callers reported a fire in an accessory dwelling unit behind a house, and a plume of black smoke was visible as crews responded.
When firefighters arrived, flames and smoke were coming from the single-story building, officials said.
Firefighters began attacking the blaze and searching the interior, where they located and rescued an adult victim. That person was taken to a hospital and was considered in critical condition.
The nature of the person’s injuries was not disclosed.
The fire was brought under control at 2:19 p.m., about 15 minutes after the initial dispatch, according to a statement by Aurora Fire Rescue spokeperson Eric Hurst. No other injuries were reported.
Five residents were displaced from the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Later Wednesday, just before 7 p.m., crews responded to a second residential fire near Fairplay Street and East Montview Boulevard.
A 911 caller reported flames visible from the second floor of a three-unit apartment building. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, Hurst said. Rescuers searched the apartment and found no one inside.
That fire was declared under control at 7:15 p.m. Firefighters said they prevented the blaze from spreading to adjacent apartments, and no injuries were reported.
Investigators determined the second fire was caused by an accidental appliance malfunction. Two adults were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
No working smoke alarms for early warning in the first fire?
Can we learn what appliance malfunctioned?
Maybe we should unplug when not in use.
These two buildings were a block apart in the Sable Altura area. Both of these are ADU type modified buildings are on big lots with room to pack in all kinds of living quarters. Aurora fire dept reports will be interesting to review after their investigation is complete. How many code violations is AFD going to point out? That’s their job to see and keep these homemade ADU’s as it were, up to standards. They will find no permits in some rented out garage four or five folks live in. This is not unusual as we continue to slide further backwards losing integrity of high standards in these ADU’s.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/fatal-aurora-house-fire/73-862afcd8-4086-4744-b520-8f3751a7e82f I see 9 news has put images from their drone pictures of one of the buildings that was destroyed. (see link) Looking at the burned-up building looks as it was some add/on. Now we find a person has died in the fire. A death caused because some rats-nest residence fabricated illegally this is what happens. This death opens up some exposure to a criminal investigation to renting out these ADU’s like this. That whole area in the Sable Altura area with big 2 acre lots have built illegal structures, no telling what it’s like in there. Is the city willing to do much?