(Golden, CO – December 31, 2019) District Attorney Pete Weir announced today that charges have been filed in an apartment complex fire in Littleton. Alex James Duran, DOB: 9-25-90, was charged 30 counts, including: 12 counts of Attempted Murder (F2); Criminal Mischief (F2); six counts of First Degree Arson (F3); eight counts of Second Degree Arson (F4); and three counts of Third Degree Assault (M1).
On December 21, 2019, at 1:30 a.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 8457 S. Reed Street in response to an apartment building on fire with reports that people were still inside. According to the arrest affidavit, they immediately began to help rescue people from inside the burning building. Deputies used a neighbor’s ladder to rescue people from a third-floor apartment. Three people suffered injuries when they were forced to jump from a second-floor apartment.
The fire impacted 19 victims and the homeowner association. It also damaged or destroyed six residential units as well as common areas, including the stairwell.
Duran was arrested a short time later.
Duran appeared in the Jefferson County Court today where he was advised of the charges filed against him. He remains in custody at the Jefferson County jail where he is being held on $1M bond. Preliminary hearing has been set for January 23, 2020 at 11:00 in Division F.
The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual has committed a crime(s). A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6
