Asbestos forces crews to wear protective gear while fighting fire

Boulder, CO - Fears of asbestos exposure while putting out an apartment complex fire near the University of Colorado campus on Monday led firefighters to wear protective gear during the process.

After arriving on scene at the Holly Apartment Complex around 2:30 AM, Boulder Fire Department firefighters fought the fire from outside of the building. They wore special protective gear due to reports that the complex had asbestos contained inside the drywall.

According to the fire marshal, three or four apartment units out of the 31 total incurred some fire damage, but fortunately there were no injuries to the building's residents or firefighters. All residents had been able to evacuate the complex before the fire marshal arrived.

Before residents can return to their homes, the building will have to undergo air quality tests to ensure that it is in safe conditions for people to live there. The fire department said it could take up to a day before they know for certain.

Sarah Huntley, public information officer for the fire department, said that residents in need of retrieving emergency items such as medication, wallets and keys can do so at 1:30 PM the same day with the help of firefighters.

Investigators are still inspecting the site. They believe the cause of the fire was a juniper bush outside of the building that caught fire and spread it to the complex.

The American Red Cross is on hand to assist those displaced by the fire.

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