COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A man has been arrested after he allegedly started several fires Sunday evening, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).
The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) was called to a vehicle fire that was threatening townhomes on W. Pikes Peak Ave. just before 9 p.m. Sunday.
CSFD says callers reported seeing a car on fire outside of a garage at a townhome. When firefighters arrived, CSFD says heavy fire and smoke were coming from the garage and exterior of the townhome.
CSFD was able to knock down the fire. No one was in the townhome during the fire, but a dog was rescued and given oxygen treatment. Two people have been displaced due to the fire.
Around 9:15 p.m. a second vehicle fire was reported on W. Kiowa St. which is located just northeast of where the first vehicle fire was. CSFD was able to knock down the fire before it spread to any of the homes in the area.
A third vehicle and structure fire was reported around 10:15 p.m. on W. Kiowa St. CSPD says several people in the area reported a suspicious man in the area. It was around this time that CSPD learned the suspect had allegedly stolen a gun from a vehicle. A shelter-in-place was ordered in the area.
CSPD sent out units to search for the suspect in the area. Someone reported a man in their backyard, which was later confirmed with drone footage from the CSFD.
CSPD arrested a man, later identified as 28-year-old Bernie Hidalgo, without incident on Armstrong Ave. which is located east of Thorndale Park. Police also recovered the gun.
The fires were investigated as arson, and Hidalgo is facing several charges, including arson.
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