Arrest Made in Connection to Fire in Downtown Littleton
Published on December 11, 2023
UPDATE: January 11, 2023.
James Daigle was taken into custody today by the Denver Police Department on a Littleton Arrest Warrant that was issued on December 11, 2023. Daigle is charged with 2nd Degree Arson, 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass, Criminal Mischief, and Reckless Endangerment. Diagle is in custody thanks to the collaboration of the Littleton Police Department, South Metro Fire Rescue and the Denver Police Department investigation teams working together. We're also grateful for the Littleton Downtown Merchants and their assistance in this case.
INITIAL RELEASE: The Littleton Police Department (LPD) has obtained an arrest warrant for 39-year-old James Daigle in relation to arson, following a two-alarm fire in Downtown Littleton on Friday, November 17.
At 12:17 a.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023, the LPD Dispatch center and South Metro Fire (SMFR) Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls reporting a building fire on the northeast corner of Main Street and Prince Street in Downtown Littleton.
LPD Officers arrived on scene almost immediately and found a 3-story building, under construction, that appeared to be engulfed in flames. Flames were extending into an occupied 4-story apartment building next door, located at 5654 S. Prince Street. Officers urgently began evacuating residents from the apartment building as SMFR Engine 11 and Medic 11 arrived, on scene.
A 2nd Alarm was immediately transmitted by SMFR which brought additional apparatus and personnel to the scene. As LPD Officers continued to move residents to safety, South Metro Firefighters deployed hose lines to control the flames. Aerial master streams were set up on Prince Street and Sycamore Street to extinguish the fire from above while several hose lines were used on the ground. Firefighters prevented fire extension into the adjacent apartment building and thankfully no injuries occurred. The incident was placed under control within 2-hours, and a thermal imaging UAV helped firefighters locate and extinguish hot spots.
Displaced residents were able to stay at the LPD headquarters to stay warm and dry while they worked with the property management to either reoccupy their homes, or find alternative lodging solutions.
The apartment building at 5654 South Prince Street has 36 apartments, although flames did not spread inside, 6 of the units sustained water damage and their occupants were displaced until dewatering and repairs could be made.
Following this incident LPD detectives partnered with SMFR fire investigators to identify and charge Daigle.
Anyone with information regarding Daigle's whereabouts is asked to contact LPD at (303) 794-1551.