Woman Charged With Murder In Connection With Aurora Fire

AURORA, CO — Police have arrested a woman they say started an E. Evans Avenue apartment fire on Monday that killed a child and injured eight others.

Alondra Michel, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to police officials. She may face additional charges as the homicide investigation continues, officials said.

The fire burned twelve units and displaced 31 people early Monday morning, but was under control by 2:34 a.m., the Aurora Fire Department said in a Twitter thread.

Aurora police and fire investigators began investigating the possible causes of the fire Monday, and "through interviews with numerous witnesses, and by examining physical evidence from the scene, positively identified a woman whom they believe was involved," police officials said.

According to investigators, Michel was "involved in a domestic violence incident with a resident on the main level of the building," and "intentionally" set something inside the apartment on fire. The fire quickly spread to the rest of the building, police said.

Michel will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.