抖阴ap

Denver fire officials said Tuesday that that injured 11 people, two of them critically, is being investigated as criminal.

Melissa Taylor, spokeswoman for the city’s fire department, said she could not immediately comment further on the case.

The blaze at the Federal View Apartments near the intersection of 26th Avenue and Federal Boulevard and sent residents jumping out second- and third-story windows to safety.

Witnesses say several children were tossed from the burning building to safety.

MORE:

Nine people were admitted to Denver Health, five in fair condition, two in serious condition and one in critical condition, said hospital spokeswoman Kayla Vigil. By Monday afternoon, one person remained at the hospital in critical condition.

Another critically injured person was transferred to University of Colorado Hospital, Vigil said.

Officials say the Denver Fire Department’s investigations unit is heading up a probe of the fire. Police are not involved in the case.

One resident, Jesus Perea, said he heard a muffled explosion, screams and pounding before the building’s fire alarms began sounding.

Another person called 911 to report what sounded like fighting as flames spread through the top floors, according to emergency dispatch archives on Broadcastify.com.

Fire officials have said the blaze began on the building’s third, and top, floor.

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul