Survival stories emerge from people who jumped to escape apartment flames

AURORA, Colo. — Residents were trapped on the top floor of their 4-story apartment apartment building when flames ripped through their building late Monday night.

One couple died in their 4th floor unit of the Fitz Apartments at E. 17th Ave. and Peoria St. Everyone else made it out.

Some, like Alina Raffa, were faced with a terrible life or death decision. “I was thinking I`m either going to pass out and end up dying in this apartment or I need to jump.” Raffa’s choice was to fall four stories.

All she saw on the ground was concrete and cars. But she ran out of time. “The reality of the situation was if I say here I die. If I jump I get hurt, but I have a chance to live.”

Raffa was the only person still hospitalized Wednesday. Fourteen other people hurt in the fire had been treated and released.

She broke both of her feet and fractured a vertebrae in her back when she hit the ground. It was the most intense pain she had ever experienced.

She faces a long road of surgeries and rehabilitation, but she is thankful to be alive.

The fire destroyed 24 units and left 40 people without homes. Investigators have not said how it started.