Firefighters responded to a small shed fire shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The fire, which took place near East Seventh Avenue and First Street, was quickly extinguished by a Durango Fire Protection District crew. Firefighters were mopping up by 8:30 p.m.
“At this point, it’s pretty clear it was arson,” said Durango Police Department Lt. Ray Shupe Wednesday evening. “The owner of the property set fire to his own shed.”
The owner, Duane Sauzo, 49, was taken into custody at the scene. He was being held at the La Plata County jail Thursday night on $25,000 bond.
“He’s dealing with some serious mental-health issues,” Shupe said. “We’ve dealt with him before.”
Axis Health System counselors visit the jail to evaluate inmates and check their medications, according to Capt. Michael Slade of the La Plata Sheriff’s Office. He expected Suazo to be evaluated soon, he said.
Shupe said a DPD investigator will work with investigators from Durango Fire to determine the exact cause of the shed blaze.
abutler@durangoherald.com
