A woman accused of starting a fire that injured eight people at a Centennial apartment complex did it because she was furious about the breakup of a relationship, an investigator said Tuesday in court.
Naomi Almodovar faces 37 counts of attempted murder as well as numerous counts of assault and arson in relation to the June 23 fire at the Copper Terrace apartments.
Almodovar, 23, appeared at a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Arapahoe County District Court.
The fire, which gutted several units, caused more than $1 million damage and injured several people who were burned or suffered broken bones jumping from second- and third-story apartments to flee fire and smoke.
In court Tuesday, Detective Karl Ditus, a fire investigator with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, said Almodovar was angered by the breakup with a woman she had a relationship with and plotted the fire to exact revenge against the victim and her new boyfriend.
A protection order had been placed against Almodovar from contacting her former girlfriend, but in about a two-month period leading up to the fire, Almodovar made 57 calls or texts to the woman despite the order, Ditus said.
Among texts sent by Almodovar, according to Ditus, was one that said: “I will burn everything you love.”
Gasoline was poured in front of a second-story apartment door and the fuel trailed down a hallway where it was ignited, Ditus said.
Ditus said a man was with Almodovar during the early-morning hours when the fire broke out, but he has not been charged with any crimes.
Investigators have looked at “leads” on additional suspects in the case, but they’ve been unfounded.
Defense attorney Adam Frank noted a Almodovar statement — admitted into court Tuesday — after a five-hour interview with Ditus in which the defendant was apologetic for things she has done, but the “fire” was not mentioned.
Residents from upper floors fled the flames using sheets tied together, while some jumped onto mattresses and blankets that neighbors set up or held below.
Almodovar remains in custody on a $1 million bail. The preliminary hearing was scheduled to continue Wednesday.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/kierannicholson
