Fire crews responded to the building along East Alameda Avenue after “reports of smoke conditions” on Saturday, the agency said on Twitter, and officials were “searching for hazards” when the explosion occurred.
Two people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A third victim was taken to another hospital, but Aurora Fire Rescue did not detail their condition.
The cause of the explosion is unknown.
“Heavy damage occurred as the result of an explosion to the west side of the structure,” Aurora fire officials said Saturday afternoon. Authorities found “structural damage” as a result, though officials were still working to determine the extent and severity of the damage.
“I heard a really loud boom and I said, ‘Don’t look back, don’t look back just keep walking,'” Goodwin told the station. “Like, ‘You don’t want to see what just happened.’ “
In the short term, residents were moved to a local shelter with the help of the Red Cross, Aurora Fire Rescue said. “Long term accommodations will be coordinated through (the Red Cross) based on need.”
Community members have been asked to stay away from the building.
