Suspected arsonist arrested for Aurora fire that killed a dog

DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora Fire Rescue said a man had been arrested on arson charges Monday after a fire at an apartment building killed a dog and displaced two people.

Aurora Fire Rescue said the incident started at around 12:30 a.m. at the Abrigo Apartments near the intersection of Peoria Street and East 30th Avenue.

There were flames visible from a couple of miles away as fire crews approached the scene, and when they arrived, black smoke and flames were visible on the east side of the three-story apartment building, the department said.

Because the fire was in an apartment building, the call was upgraded to a two-alarm fire to call for more resources. Seven fire engines, four ladder trucks, five ambulances and three battalion chiefs responded to the fire.

Firefighters quickly contained the fire to the third-floor apartment where it originated, protecting the surrounding units.

Fire crews found a deceased dog in the unit where the fire was primarily located. The dog had died in the fire, according to Aurora Fire Rescue.

Two people who lived in the unit below were displaced because of water damage.

The occupant of the unit evacuated the building before crews arrived and was initially taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The fire department said fire investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set by the resident of that apartment. He was arrested on charges of first-degree arson, fourth-degree arson for endangering life and fourth-degree arson of a residence causing between $100,000 and $1 million in damages.