Lakewood police have arrested a man in connection with a suspicious fire early Tuesday morning at a duplex occupied by 14 people.
Detectives identified the man as Christopher Magana, 27, of Aurora. He was booked on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, arson, criminal mischief and domestic violence.
The fire started in a car around 3 a.m. on the 5600 block of West 5th Avenue before spreading to the duplex, according to Lakewood police.
“Thankfully, the 14 people got out safely,” said Tom Richards, spokesman for West Metro Fire. “The firefighters did a good job of getting the fire out quickly.”
Firefighters were called at 3:25 a.m., Richards said.
It is unclear whether the fire started in a car outside the duplex or the other way around.
One unit of the duplex was severely burned, but the other was virtually untouched, he said.
There was some smoke damage to the second unit and a garage roof was burned.
According to the Red Cross, the fire displaced nine children, five adults and one dog.
The Red Cross provided them with hygiene items, blankets, stuffed toys for the children, breakfast and financial support for temporary lodging and other immediate needs such as food and clothing, according to the Red Cross.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or @kirkmitchell or
