Alex Duran Named As Suspect In Reed Street Arson Investigation
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4) - Jefferson County Sheriff's officials identified the man they believe started a fire at the Greystoke Apartments in Littleton. They say Alex Duran now faces charges of attempted murder in the first degree and arson.
South Metro firefighters responded to the building on South Reed Street near Chatfield Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Duran appeared in court on Monday.
He is being held on a $1 million bond and the judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. He is scheduled to appear in court next week.
Chad Smith lives in the building next to the one that caught fire. He says he isn't sure if Duran actually lived in the complex, but he did see him around.
"He had an orange lamp that was on quite a bit," said Chad.
Smith is relieved police got Duran off the streets.
"He walked away from the building with it on fire. Didn't call the police or anything. I mean that's just disgraceful," Smith said.
He was asleep when the fire happened.
"I was in bed sound asleep on a normal Saturday night, and I heard a commotion outside," Smith said. "I looked outside and saw an orange glow and thought 'oh that's not normal.'"
Soon he was evacuated from his home. He says all he could do was try to get to safety.
"It was get myself out of the house and get my dog out of the house as quick as I could," said Smith.
Investigators say the fire was so intense, vehicles nearby also caught fire or were damaged. Some residents jumped for their lives after the fire destroyed a stairwell.
Two people were hospitalized, including a South Metro firefighter. Everyone is expected to be okay.
The American Red Cross and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocates helped residents who were displaced in six units.