The Denver Fire Department evacuated a high-rise office building in downtown Denver on Wednesday afternoon after a module in an electrical vault burned up, officials said.
Spokesman Greg Pixley said an initial investigation by the fire department indicated a problem with an elevator motor.
But the final determination was that the fire in the vault, located in the parking lot of the building at 1999 Broadway, caused the problem in the elevator.
Firefighters helped people out of the building despite the elevators not working, Pixley said.
“They’re trying to evacuate portions of the structure and then assist those who can’t use the stairs and get the elevators working again.”
Pixley said smoke from the electrical vault rose into the building, with smoke detectors and fire alarms being activated on at least two floors.
The Denver Police Department assisted in road closures about 5:30 at intersections of 20th Street, California Street, Broadway and Stout Street. The streets were reopened about 6:30 p.m.
Pixley said there were no injuries or damage to the building.
