Two civilians remain in critical condition after a crash Saturday in downtown Denver between a vehicle and a fire rescue truck that left one passenger dead.

During a press conference Sunday, the Denver Fire Department said it is cooperating fully with the investigation into the collision and offered well wishes for the victims involved.

“It’s our goal as the Denver Fire Department to reduce any type of chances of this type of event happening in the future,” said DFD spokesperson Greg Pixley.

The collision happened within the intersection of Broadway and Speer Boulevard at 1:37 p.m. Saturday.

Pixley said the technical rescue vehicle Rescue 1 was driving to the corner of 14th Avenue and Kalamath Street after receiving reports of smoke in a building.

1 dead, 2 injured after crash involving Denver Fire Department vehicle

Rescue 1 entered the intersection with its lights and sirens on, and then collided with a passenger vehicle. Pixley said the collision happened as the traffic lights were changing but details are still unknown.

The vehicle contained three passengers. One passenger was declared dead at the scene and two others remain hospitalized. One firefighter sustained a knee injury.

“(It) is an absolute tragedy for everyone involved,” said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and assure them we will be available for whatever is needed while the investigation continues.”

The Denver Police Traffic Investigations Unit and the Denver District Attorney’s office is conducting an investigation.

Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton said this kind of incident is extremely rare and he cannot remember a previous time when a DFD vehicle was involved in a fatal collision.

However, a similar collision happened in 2012 when a DFD fire truck hit a car while responding to a fire, killing the 80-year-old woman driver. The Denver Post reported that the woman ran a red light and was hit while in the intersection. 

One injured after shooting in Clayton neighborhood

“A life was lost and the focus right now is on the friends and families and loved ones and helping them get through this difficult time,” Fulton said.

Fulton said the department is also working to help the five involved firefighters with mental health resources. He said the firefighters involved immediately worked to assist the civilian victims despite their own shock and injuries.

“This effects us all,” Fulton said. “We’re a family and the only way we can get through this difficult time is together.”

The five firefighters are currently being evaluated to determine when they can return to work. The Rescue 1 vehicle has also been taken out of service during the investigation.

No identifying information has been released about the victims.