Arson investigators have identified, but won’t yet name, a person of interest in an explosion and fire that seriously injured a man last week.
The unidentified man in his 50s was severely burned during the explosion in his home at 2411 S. St. Paul St. on June 4.
Fire department investigators concluded the explosion was intentionally caused and are conducting a criminal investigation, said Denver Fire Department spokesman Lt. Phil Champagne.
No arrests have been made, Champagne said Wednesday. He declined to name the person of interest in the case.
The victim smelled gas when he got home but proceeded to put items in an electric clothes dryer.
At first authorities believed that when he switched the dryer on, it exploded. But now, they do not believe that is what triggered the explosion, Champagne said.
He declined to say what investigators believe caused the explosion and fire.
Neighbors described the victim as being badly burned, with skin peeling from his legs and arms as he walked from the house. His face also appeared to have been covered in ash.
The victim was rushed to a local hospital. His current condition was not available, Champagne said.
No one else was in the home at the time of the explosion, he said. The man is married and has two teenage children.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
