Fire, explosion happens at Denver assisted living facility, several people taken to the hospital

The Denver Fire Department is investigating an explosion at a senior living center that caused a fire Wednesday morning.

According to DFD, the fire broke out at the Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Campus near Quebec Street and Smith Way around 11:30 a.m. Around noon, the department tweeted that an explosion had taken place inside the building. Officials said a power line was accidentally struck during construction work at the facility, causing the explosion and a subsequent transformer fire.

A man told CBS Colorado he working on the HVAC system in the facility along with two other people when the explosion happened, injuring all three of them. The explosion reportedly blew out windows and blew doors open.

Authorities said ten people were evaluated for injuries, eight of which were taken for treatment, but the extent of their injuries is unknown. Two others were evaluated and cleared at the scene.

Officials said 87 people were displaced by the incident and will be transported to another location. They said people will not be allowed to go back inside the building.

The fire remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.