The assisted-living high-rise where a 79-year-old woman died in a fire has been cited for failing to conduct the quarterly fire drills required by city code.
Denver Fire Department spokesman Phil Champagne said the scene was chaotic at Francis Heights Apartments, 2626 Osceola St., on Monday night, and residents failed to follow instructions given by firefighters over the building’s public-address system.
Firefighters had the fire contained to the woman’s 10th floor apartment, and other residents were instructed to stay in their units until they could be assisted. Instead, they opened their doors, letting more smoke flow into their units as they wandered into smoke-choked hallways, Champagne said.
Firefighters then had to turn their attention away from the fire and pass their oxygen masks to residents to immediately evacuate them. Four residents were treated for smoke inhalation.
“What happened on the 10th floor, it could have been catastrophic,” Champagne said. “People were out in the hallways; they left their doors open.”
On Tuesday, firefighters checked with managers at the senior and assisted-care center and determined they’ve not been conducting fire drills.
The fire started in the apartment of Mary Ann Vezina, who was identified Wednesday by the Denver County coroner. A cause of death was not released.
Champagne said the victim’s apartment was cluttered with stacks of newspapers 5 feet high and other flammable materials.
“It added to the fire load,” Champagne said. “In a high-rise, the consequences could be dire.”
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
