EL PASO COUNTY — Just before midnight on April 15, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office received several reports of a structure fire on Molly Court in Black Forest.
The Black Forest Fire Dept. responded, but the home was a total loss, the Sheriff's Office said. The current market value of the home was $800,000.
The circumstances of the fire were deemed suspicious and an investigation was launched.
The Sheriff's Office said that as a result of that investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for the homeowner.
On April 18, 42-year-old Samir Bhatt was taken into custody and booked on felony charges of First Degree Arson, Insurance Fraud, Criminal Mischief and Domestic Violence.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said it would like to thank Black Forest Fire Department, Fountain Fire Department, Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Colorado Springs Police Department in assisting with the investigation and arrest of Bhatt.
No further information on this incident was released.
