Asbestos Causes Mass Apartment Evacuation

May 18, 2006 - Residents of more than 200 apartments in one of downtown Denver’s biggest complexes had to evacuate their homes due to dangerously high levels of asbestos. According to a report by CBS4-Denver, many residents of the Pennwood Place apartments had to leave in a hurry, having little chance to grab belongings and not knowing when they would be returning.

The asbestos scare in Denver was caused by a recent fire at the apartment complex, which sent asbestos levels soaring to two to ten times over the legal limit.  The state mandated the evacuation and the Denver Fire Department assisted in carrying it out.

Many of the residents were stunned, saying they had no indication that asbestos levels were so high and that they would be leaving their homes for up to several weeks.  Most were given 15 minutes to grab whatever they wished to take with them.  Other residents came home to find that they couldn’t get into their apartments.

After a fire that causes damage to pipe insulation or other items containing asbestos, airborne asbestos fibers are often a concern. Residents understood the need for the evacuation but were unhappy with the way in which it was handled.  Some wonder if the action was taken soon enough and for how long they were inhaling the asbestos fibers.

Officials hope to determine the extent of the asbestos problem within a few days and inform the residents of their ability to re-enter.  A number of them are staying at a downtown Red Cross shelter because they didn’t have family and friends who could take them in at a moment’s notice.