Three Injuries Reported At Partial House Collapse: Officials

AURORA, CO — Three people were taken to the hospital with minor-to-severe injuries after the first floor of a house on E. Princeton Place collapsed into its basement Saturday night, officials said.

South Metro Engine, Medic 23 and Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a 911 call at 9:40 p.m. that reported "people were dying," said Eric Hurst, a public information officer for South Metro Fire Rescue.

"Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed over 100 juveniles in the street and discovered that a large portion of the first floor collapsed into the basement," Hurst said. "Additional resources were dispatched, and witnesses reported that 5 people were trapped in the basement."

While firefighters were beginning search-and-rescue operations, and after one person with serious injuries was taken to a hospital, firefighters discovered that a gas line had been damaged by the collapse.

"To complicate matters, a ruptured natural gas line was free-flowing and had to be shut off to prevent an explosion and fire," Hurst said.

After firefighters determined that no one was trapped inside the building, the Technical Rescue Team used emergency shoring to stabilize the house, according to a Twitter thread.

"Video of the incident was posted on social media, and it shows a large crowd jumping on the first floor when the collapse occurred," Hurst said. "Numerous people violently fell into the basement and it's truly remarkable that no deaths or additional injuries occurred. A Building Department official confirmed that too many people (approximately 100-150) were occupying the space and their weight caused the floor to buckle."