Firefighters battled flames, smoke and bedbugs this morning at a house fire in Denver.
The fire started just after 6 a.m. at 1575 Franklin St., said Lt. Phil Champagne, a Denver Fire Department spokesman.
Firefighters battling the blaze had a hard time because of an attic filled with storage and debris, including items infested with bedbugs.
“We had to decontaminate members of the fire crews on the scene,” Champagne said.
Thirty-eight firefighters fought the fire, which took about 45 minutes to put out.
The pesky bedbugs, animated by the fire, sought refuge on firefighters, latching on to equipment and gear. Firefighters had to guard against bringing the bugs back to their firehouse.
“Some had to get their gear bagged-up to get it decontaminated,” Champagne said.
There were no injuries, but several residents were displaced and are being aided by the American Red Cross.
The residence has been deemed “uninhabitable,” Champagne said.
While fighting the blaze, firefighters concentrated efforts on the attic and roof of the structure.
A branch on a tree near the home snapped, Champagne said, pulling a live power line onto the roof, which sparked the blaze.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
