Executive Summary
- Tony Becerra, 38, was arrested in connection with the Harker Heights construction site fire.
- Investigators cite surveillance footage placing the suspect at the scene prior to the blaze.
- The five-alarm fire resulted in the total loss of a $23.2 million apartment complex.
- Federal ATF agents assisted the Denver Fire Department in the investigation.
Authorities arrested a 38-year-old Aurora man on Wednesday in connection with a massive five-alarm fire that destroyed a multi-million dollar apartment complex under construction in Denver earlier this month. The Denver Fire Department (DFD) identified the suspect as Tony Becerra, who was taken into custody as part of an ongoing arson investigation into the blaze that occurred on January 2.
According to investigators, surveillance footage allegedly shows Becerra entering and leaving the construction site at the intersection of Leetsdale Drive and South Forest Street shortly before the fire began. While initial reports and the primary 911 call suggested the involvement of a homeless individual, DFD officials clarified in their announcement that Becerra is not homeless. Formal charges against the suspect are currently pending.
The fire, which ignited around 6:45 p.m., engulfed the Harker Heights apartment complex, a 283-unit project valued at approximately $23.2 million. DFD Division Chief Robert Murphy described the event as the largest fire the department has encountered in recent history, noting it was the first five-alarm fire of his thirty-year career. The intensity of the flames required a response from over 150 firefighters and the deployment of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) National Response Team. One firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation.
Investigative Outlook
The apprehension of a suspect follows a collaborative effort between local fire authorities and federal agents from the ATF. As the case moves toward prosecution, the focus will likely center on the admissibility and clarity of the surveillance evidence placing the suspect at the scene. Given the magnitude of the property loss, totaling over $23 million, the proceedings will address significant criminal liability alongside the arson allegations. It is important to note that all individuals, including Mr. Becerra, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
