3 People, 2 Dogs Rescued From Lakewood Building Fire

LAKEWOOD, CO — Three people and two dogs were rescued from a fire that broke out in a multi-unit building Tuesday morning in Lakewood, officials said.

Two men were working near West 12th Avenue and Allison Street, when they saw smoke billowing from the building. One of the men, Raoul Barra, called 911 to report the fire.

Barra said he and his coworker found an elderly woman who had fallen from her wheelchair on a ramp. The two men helped her back into her chair and got someone to move their vehicle, which was blocking the ramp.

Another woman yelled that she needed to go back into the burning building and get something, and Barra said he ran after her into the complex. He grabbed her by the arm and told her that something could blow up, and convinced her to get out immediately.

A West Metro Fire crew and Lakewood police officers then arrived and a third person was rescued from the building, officials said. Firefighters also rescued two dogs.

One person was hospitalized with a condition that wasn't related to the fire, officials said. No other injuries were reported.

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There was heavy damage to one of the units. The cause of the fire was unknown — an investigation was underway.

Barra's wife said that his worst fear is getting caught in a fire, but that "he knew he had to go in and get her out."