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Littleton Apartment Complex Fire Suspect Alex Duran Charged With Arson, Attempted Murder

LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4) - The 29-year-old man arrested by fire investigators in Littleton now faces attempted murder and arson charges. On Tuesday the Jefferson County District Attorney announced the filing of formal charges against Alex Duran for the fire at Greystoke Apartments.

Duran, Alex 092590 (from JeffCo Sheriff)
Alex Duran (credit: Jefferson County Sheriff)

The fire started on Dec. 21 in the early morning at the apartment complex on South Reed Street near Wadsworth Boulevard and Chatfield Avenue. After emergency crews arrived they began rescuing people who were unable to get out of the burning building. That included climbing a ladder to save people in an apartment on the third floor. Three people were also hurt when they jumped from the second floor. Duran was arrested a few hours later.

jeffco body cam greystoke fire
(credit: Jefferson County)

According to an arrest affidavit, a neighbor noticed Duran pacing outside the apartment, around the time the fire broke out. When the neighbor noticed smoke and asked Duran what was going on, Duran reportedly said, "Northing man, it's all good."

The neighbor asked Duran what he was doing and he replied, "Just burning stuff," according to the affidavit.

The fire caused heavy damage to common areas, a stairway and six units. A toal of 19 people were displaced, including a couple who told CBS4 on Monday they aren't expecting to be able to move back into their heavily damaged unit until this time next year.

REED ST FIRE 6PKG.transfer_frame_2215
(credit: CBS)

In an interview with investigators, Duran called his neighbors witches and terrorists.

When asked about how the fire started, Duran said, "I was just cleaning my house, getting all the dead black out of it... from the witches and the CIA and everything else."

APARTMENT FIRE Greystoke littleton
(credit: CBS)

When asked if he was worried about people being trapped inside during the fire, Duran said, "Nope."

APARTMENT FIRE Greystoke littleton
(credit: CBS)

Duran is being held on a $1 million bond. In a Jefferson County Court video hearing Tuesday morning a judge informed him that he faces 12 counts of attempted murder and six counts of first degree arson, in addition to 12 other charges.

He is expected back in court on Jan. 23.

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