AURORA | Aurora Fire Rescue officials are asking for the public’s help to identify someone they say is a suspect linked to a massive 2023 apartment fire in southeast Aurora.
“It is possible you may know or have come in contact with someone who was involved, or has direct knowledge of this incident,” Aurora Fire Rescue Eric Hurst said in a social media video Wednesday. “You are in a unique position to have observed behavioral changes in those individuals before and, or, after the time of the incident.”
Tipsters could get up to a $60,000 reward for helping identify the person fire investigators said is responsible for the Dec. 14, 2023 blaze inside an apartment complex under construction at the 7300 block of South Addison Court, officials said.
The massive blaze, visible for miles, destroyed five buildings, dozens of apartments and caused $22 million in damage, according to fire investigators.
The fire was reported at approximately midnight and 23 rescue units with Aurora Fire Rescue were called to a blaze.
Officials at the time said there were few fire hydrants in the area because it is a new construction site, and first responders had to work around the construction equipment to fight the fire.
First responders fought the fire from the E-470 interstate on the east side, as well as on the west and north sides of the site, officials said.
No injuries were reported from the fire.
But fire investigators said at the time they had video surveillance of the area, indicating someone to be a likely suspect.
The blaze came just two days before an even bigger apartment construction fire in northwest Aurora grabbed headlines, as noon-time smoke from that fire could be seen as far away as Broomfield and Watkins. Fire officials at the time said the fires were unrelated.
Now, fire investigators are asking the public to help them identify the person and make an arrest in the southeast Aurora fire.
Hurst said that if someone knows of someone suspected of starting the fire, that person may have behaved oddly at the time or may behave oddly when being confronted with details about the fire.
“We believe there is information which is yet to be shared, and there are people familiar with the circumstances who remain in our community, we are asking for your cooperation,” Hurst said. “We know in some circumstances individuals are unknowingly brought into the situation by the person responsible, and they may have concerns about coming forward, you would be in a unique position to help, and can be assured of our ability to independently corroborate any information provided.”
The 24-hour tipline is 720-913-7867, or tipsters can go to metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and earn up to $60,000, Hurst said.