A Boulder, Colorado apartment building that suffered a serious fire on Monday tested positive for high levels of asbestos yesterday, prompting officials to inform residents that it could be several days or longer before they are able to move back into their units.

According to a story on ABC-7 News, the Red Cross has now opened a shelter in the gymnasium at the nearby University of Colorado to accommodate the tenants who are being kept out of their apartments until the asbestos can be cleaned up by licensed professionals.

There are 31 apartments in the complex and the Red Cross has confirmed that they are assisting 12 residents at this time, providing them with both shelter and food. It is unclear how many tenants were evacuated. 

Firefighters had feared that asbestos might be a problem during the early morning fire, which officials estimate began around 2 a.m. Monday. The firemen donned protective gear to avoid inhalation while fighting the fire.

It took just 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze, but because asbestos was present in the walls and ceiling, the damage caused by the fire resulted in the spread of fibers, which can be inhaled and may eventually cause a variety of asbestos-related diseases, including the cancer mesothelioma.

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