One person died Tuesday night in a fire at a northwest Lakewood home, Cindy Matthews of the West Metro Fire District said today.
The fire at the home, located at 11905 W. 20th Ave., began at about 10:30 p.m.
The house, which sits on a hill, is just down the block from one of the district’s fire stations. As firefighters responded, they could see flames and thick smoke coming from the home, said Matthews.
Within minutes of their arrival, there was a partial roof collapse, burying the victim, said Matthews.
Matthews said that the first firefighters on the scene were told that no one was in the residence.
During the salvage and overhaul stage, the victim was discovered under the section of the roof that had collapsed.
Further details about the victim were not available this afternoon.
Two dogs were pulled from the home. One female beagle was transported to Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital and is in stable condition. The other dog is staying with neighbors.
Matthews said more than 25 firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in about 30 minutes. The blaze was officially out at 11:06 p.m.
West Metro fire investigators are investigating to determine where the fire started and what caused it. Lakewood police are investigating the fire in the event of any criminal involvement.
Matthews said neighbors reported hearing explosions. But she said that is often the case in intense fires as ammunition, tires or aerosol cans explode.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
