Littleton Retirement Community Fire Ruled 'Accidental'

LITTLETON, CO – Investigators have classified the retirement community fire Saturday morning that killed one person and sent 13 to the hospital as "accidental," the City of Littleton said. The investigation is likely to continue for weeks, but the initial report rules out arson or other intentional fire.

The blaze started around 5:30 a.m. on the first floor of an apartment building in the east tower of the Windermere complex in the 5800 block of South Datura Street. More than 100 fire personnel were on scene to help evacuate the residents and douse the fire. Because of the number of injured people, fire investigators classified the fire as a "mass casualty incident."

The city announced that air sampling was being performed in all units of the building, to determine whether it is safe for residents to return to their units.

For two days, about 40 residents have been housed by the Red Cross in a temporary shelter at The Life Center at 5804 S. Datura Street. That shelter will close Tuesday at 5 p.m., the city said in a statement. The Red Cross will provide temporary hotel vouchers for people who are unable to return to their homes. Transportation is also being provided by the Littleton Omnibus and Arapahoe County Housing Services has stepped in to help with shelter and food, the city said.

Resident Michael Craig Mitchell, 70, died in the fire.

"Littleton is a safe and supportive community and to lose anyone affects us all," said Littleton Mayor Debbie Brinkman in a press release. "Our deepest sympathy goes to Michael Mitchell’s family and friends. We are so sorry for this loss and to all who are affected by this tragedy. I am grateful that the first responders who risked their lives to save others in such heroic ways are going to be okay and that so many lives were saved by their efforts. We will stay vigilant in our efforts to support those injured and displaced. Littleton is a community of love and caring and all are our family."

Image via South Metro Fire Rescue

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