LITTLETON FIRE TRAGEDY: PERSON PULLED FROM FLAMES DIES; MEDICS TRIED TO SAVE LIFE FOR 40 MINUTES

Firefighters and paramedics worked valiantly to revive a person pulled from a burning apartment in Littleton - but the victim died, South Metro Fire said Wednesday.

The blaze broke out shortly before midnight at 5531 South Delaware Street and Littleton police said a "large amount of smoke" was pouring from the apartment when their officers arrived. Fire officials provided this account: "Upon arrival, Engine 11 encountered heavy smoke coming from a garden-level apartment. Fire crews-initiated evacuations of the building, clearing five of the six units. During a primary search, firefighters from Station 12 located and rescued an occupant from the apartment where the fire originated. "Crews immediately began life-saving efforts and continued care on scene for more than 40 minutes. Tragically, despite their efforts, the individual could not be revived."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
In a separate incident Wednesday, Aurora firefighters rescued a seriously injured man from a fire in the vicinity of East 22nd Avenue and North Altura Street. [Photos: South Metro Fire]