ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — A suspected burglar started a fire inside an Adams County home early Wednesday morning and was later taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation, according to a spokesman for the sheriff's office.
Adams County Fire Rescue responded to the home in the 2600 block of West 80th Avenue along with the sheriff's office at 2:20 a.m.
According to the fire department, one person was taken to the hospital. The sheriff's office said that person was a suspect in a burglary at the residence and is in their custody.
Jennifer Jensen said that she and her 13-year-old son, Zaide Taul, were inside the home when an intruder broke in and came after them with a knife.
“We heard the glass break and him getting in the door, and I screamed at that point, and grabbed a broomstick,” said Jensen. “I don’t know what I thought I was going to do with the broomstick. We heard him coming down the stairs, that’s when I was like we’ve just gotta run. We can’t stay in this house. He’s coming after us at this point.”
Taul said the man was shirtless and covered in blood.
Jensen said she and her son barely escaped. She said when they went outside and jumped the fence, the man did not follow.
“When we first saw the smoke, I thought they were gassing the guy out because they had the SWAT team here and they couldn’t get him to come out,” said Jensen. “Then we realized it was smoke. It was a fire and it just got worse and worse.”
The suspect was still inside the home and investigators believe he’s the one who started the house on fire.
“We lost the dogs, but at least we made it out with each other,” said Jensen.
Jensen said two dogs died from smoke inhalation.
The sheriff’s office said before entering Jensen’s home, the suspect was seen around 1:49 a.m. near 7800 Zuni St. running in the street shirtless. Then at 1:54 a.m., the sheriff’s office said it received a 911 call about the suspect entering a home on the 2400 block of Valleyview Dr. and threatening the homeowner with a knife. As deputies were responding to that call, that’s when they received the call from Jensen’s home.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with expenses not covered by insurance.
The homeowner said the home may be considered a total loss.
Sheriff's office investigators believe the suspect is connected to other burglaries in the area.
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