DENVER -- An explosion and fire at a Denver auto repair shop and warehouse early Thursday has critically injured one man and sent a firefighter to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The fire and explosion at 1160 South Lipan, near West Mississippi Avenue, was first reported around 1:35 a.m., said Denver Fire spokesman Phil Champagne.

When firefighters arrived, the warehouse was engulfed in flames. Firefighters entered the building and found a man with extensive thermal burns, Champagne said.

Firefighters believe the man lives in the building, Champagne said.

Champagne said the man was thrown from the building by the explosion. He was hurled over 60 feet and into a metal fence surrounding the property. Champagne added the man suffered serious injuries, so severe that Denver police are investigating the case as a death investigation.

Firefighters found a lot of oxygen bottles inside, which were a concern, Champagne said.

Steven Sanchez, who lives near the warehouse, said he was jolted awake by a loud explosion overnight. Sanchez said he looked out his back door and saw flames. He said the explosion shook his bed and the fire was so extensive, he watched it for about two hours.

Champagne said it took firefighters about 50 minutes to get the fire under control and about 70 minutes to get the fire fully extinguished.

The structure partially collapsed and is considered a total loss, Champagne said.

Fortunately, firefighters were able to contain the flames to one building, and it did not spread to neighboring buildings or homes.

The firefighter who was hurt became injured while moving fire lines into the building, Champagne said.

Another firefighter was injured several days ago on a different fire in this same area, Champagne said. Denver firefighters in this region are busy responding to a lot of fire calls in this area, which is multiuse area with warehouses and residential homes, Champagne said.

The cause of this most recent fire is under investigation.

View Larger Map