Like a scene from a movie, health officials in white jumpsuits and gas masks told residents Saturday afternoon to get out of their Capitol Hill apartment building in minutes with only what they could carry.
Tests required as a result of a basement fire Monday found asbestos at two to 10 times safe levels in wall plaster.
State regulations required the hasty evacuation of Penwood Place Apartments at 800 Pennsylvania St., said Steve Gonzales, an environmental specialist with the Denver Department of Environmental Health.
Officials did not know when residents could return – possibly not for up to three weeks.
The 15-story tower is 35 years old. About 300 residents were evacuated from about 190 apartments.
“The asbestos has been there for decades, but I have to be out the door in 15 minutes or less?” said Jim Johnson, toting a laundry basket that included two business suits he would need for work this week. “This is way heavy-handed.”
Police officers had to remove some angry residents who found the threat to be exaggerated, said Lt. Phil Champagne, spokesman for the Denver Fire Department, which assisted with the evacuation.
He understood their frustration.
“These people have lives,” he said. “They have to get up and go to work on Monday, and all their possessions are back here.”
Asbestos was once a common building material because of its resistance to fire. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began regulating asbestos in the 1970s before an outright ban in 1989, because of the dire health risks it poses once airborne. If inhaled, its fibers can scar lungs and cause cancer.
The Monday night fire, which sent two people to the hospital because of smoke inhalation, is still under investigation, but it was believed to be related to a sauna, Champagne said.
Residents with renters insurance were covered for hotel stays, while others were going to stay with family or friends.
Robin Amaral returned from a bike ride with her boyfriend Saturday to find she is temporarily homeless.
“We’re going to go have a cup and talk about it,” she said of her future home, as she lugged hastily filled suitcases.
The American Red Cross set up a weekend evacuation shelter nearby at West High School, but only about a dozen residents went there early Saturday evening, some awaiting rides.
“We’re trying to make sure people have a place to stay,” said Melinda Epp, a volunteer with the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross. “This is unusual, but we get called wherever people need us.”
Evan Dackerman said the fire, then the evacuation five days later, made for a bad week, but he was rolling with it. “It’s an inconvenience, obviously,” he said, “but that’s just life.”
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-820-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
