AURORA — A two-alarm fire Tuesday morning at an Aurora apartment complex sent three people to the hospital, including an Aurora police officer.
The fire at Abrigo Apartments, at the intersection of Peoria Street and 30th Avenue, started in a first-floor unit and badly charred the outside of the structure.
Officials say residents in six units were displaced.
Cpt. Diane Schroeder, an Aurora fire spokeswoman, said two residents and one police officer were taken to a hospital with injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening.
Aurora police say the officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
“At this time, it’s under investigation,” Schroeder said of the fire.
Susan Nieves said the blaze broke out in her unit and told officials on scene that her young grandson ignited the flames while playing with a lighter.
Nieves’ two dogs were rescued by firefighters, one of whom was transported to medical care by animal control officers after being given oxygen at the scene.
Nieves said she is renaming one of the dogs “Miracle” because she made it out alive.
“I thought she was going to be dead,” Nieves said as she held Miracle.
Charles Davis, wearing a Fender Stratocaster guitar, was milling outside the apartment building as dozens of firefighters mopped up the scene. He said he grabbed his guitar and dog — Little Bear — and fled.
“Thank god we live next to one of the fire department (branches),” Davis said.
