70-year-old dies on his birthday in Colorado apartment fire

Authorities say one person has died in a fire at senior citizens apartment complex in suburban Denver.

Police in Littleton say 70-year-old Michael Craig Mitchell was killed in the blaze, which broke out early Saturday, his birthday.

At least 13 people were taken to hospitals, including three in serious condition. It wasn’t immediately clear whether those numbers included Mitchell.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation.

The fire was contained to a first-floor unit in the six-story building, but thick smoke trapped some residents in their apartments. Firefighters led some out while others waited on balconies.

Authorities say residents won’t be allowed to return to the complex until Monday at the earliest. The Red Cross opened a shelter, and city officials expected 25 or 30 people to stay there.