A man received severe burns in a townhome fire in Lakewood this afternoon.
The fire broke out shortly after 1 p.m. at 1541 S. Owens St., said Cindy Matthews, a West Metro Fire Protection District spokeswoman.
Neighbors of the victim heard odd noises, smelled smoke and left their townhome to investigate, Matthews said.
Through the victim’s window, the neighbors saw an orange to red glow inside, and one neighbor called 911 while another pounded on the back door.
Firefighters responded and quickly put out the fire, containing it to one unit, but found a man inside who had been burned.
“He has third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body,” Matthews said.
The unidentified victim, who is in his mid-50s, was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Central Hospital and then transferred to the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.
There were no other injuries, Matthews said.
The cause of the fire, which started inside the townhome, is under investigation.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
