FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The suspect accused of starting two fires Friday morning has been arrested, Fort Collins police said later that afternoon.
He has been identified as 31-year-old Andrew Shaughnessy. He's been booked into Larimer County Jail.
Crews have cleared the two separate fire scenes. Fort Collins Police Services is investigating the causes as potential arson. Look to them for additional updates. pic.twitter.com/TN1S3PaUy0
— poudrefire (@poudrefire) May 3, 2024
Poudre firefighters were called to a business on S Colleve Avenue just before 4 a.m. Friday. When they arrived on scene, the fire was working its way up the east side of the building, Poudre Fire Authority said.
No injuries were reported, according to Poudre Fire Authority.
At the same time, another crew of Poudre fighters responded to a second fire at a business on W Laurel Street.
Crews are simultaneously on the scene of a second fire at a business on the 100 block of W. Laurel. Firefighters have extinguished the fire and no patients are reported at this time. pic.twitter.com/8dFSmsfc4f
— poudrefire (@poudrefire) May 3, 2024
No injuries were reported at that fire either.
Fort Collins police said officers began to investigate both incidents as arsons. They found surveillance video of a suspect, and as they continued to investigate the area, officers found evidence that the suspect had changed his clothing.
They then got a report of a man trying to break into a home near Laurel Street, Fort Collins police said in a Friday afternoon news release.
"Officers arrived quickly on scene and located the suspect who had a large knife with him and was tampering with an electrical outlet and trying to ignite another fire," Fort Collins police said.
The man was arrested and safely taken into custody. One officer was injured in the process.
Shaughnessy faces charges of first degree arson of a business, second degree burglary and forced entry to a building, criminal attempt to commit a class five or six felony and resisting arrest.
