Nearly 90 Residents Displaced After Explosion at Colorado Assisted-Living Facility

Nearly 90 residents of an assisted-living home in Colorado suddenly found themselves homeless following an unexpected explosion that occurred inside their building this past Wednesday. Emergency crews from the Denver Fire Department swiftly responded to initial reports of a structure fire at the Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Campus. Shortly afterward, authorities clarified that the issue was actually a transformer fire resulting from construction activities and confirmed that an internal explosion followed the electrical mishap.

Eight individuals were rushed to the hospital as a result of injuries sustained during the incident, while two more residents underwent examinations by emergency responders on-site but were ultimately cleared. An additional 87 residents were displaced in the immediate aftermath, relocated to an undisclosed temporary shelter, and were temporarily prohibited from re-entering the damaged building.

The Denver Fire Department explained that the explosion was provoked by an accidental strike to a power line amid ongoing construction work at the facility. In a post shared on social media platform X, the department emphasized their swift and tireless response in containing the situation and securing the safety of all involved.

Luis Cedillo, spokesperson for Denver Fire, spoke with Fox31, addressing some of the particular challenges first responders faced during the building's evacuation. He noted the difficulty involved due to the residents' disabilities, stating this required additional time and careful assistance from emergency workers to safely relocate them.

Resident Barbara Hinchey recounted her experience to local news outlet Fox31, explaining that while she felt the blast, her own room managed to avoid damage. Hinchey, who has resided at the facility for two years, noted that regular emergency evacuation drills took place monthly and credited paramedics who diligently retrieved her medications from multiple locations within her living space.

Hinchey's daughter, Susan Johnson, who quickly arrived to pick her mother up, commended authorities' rapid response and efficiency in evacuating everyone safely. Despite acknowledging the severity and anxiety of the event, Johnson expressed relief that she lived nearby and believed her mother was in excellent care throughout the crisis.