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Man accused of setting fire to Littleton apartment formally charged with attempted murder, arson

Posted at 11:39 AM, Dec 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-31 13:39:03-05

GOLDEN, Colo. — The man accused of setting fire to a Littleton apartment complex on Dec. 21 has been formally charged and faces 30 counts, including attempted murder and arson.

Authorities identified Alex James Duran, 30, as a suspect in the fire, which appeared to have been intentionally set.

Duran faces multiple charges, including:

  • 12 counts of attempted murder
  • Criminal mischief
  • Six counts of first-degree arson
  • Eight counts of second-degree arson
  • Three counts of third-degree assault

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire on Dec. 21 at 1:30 a.m. When they arrived at the complex, which is located at 8457 S. Reed St., they found an active fire with multiple people still inside the building. Deputies immediately started to rescue people from the apartment units, according to an arrest affidavit.

Three people were injured when they jumped from a second-floor apartment.

The fire damage or destroyed six units, plus common areas and the stairwell, impacting 19 people total. It also scorched nearby cars and began melting bumpers on vehicles on the other side of the parking lot.

Duran was arrested later that same day.

He is in custody at the Jefferson County jail and is being held on $1 million bond.

His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 23, 2020.