Man arrested for attempted murder and arson following Salt Creek house fire

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested 44-year-old Victor Mcentire of Pueblo for attempted murder and arson in connection with an early morning house fire Saturday in the Salt Creek neighborhood, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Mcentire was arrested at his Salt Creek home at about 7 a.m. this morning after detectives learned from witnesses that he was seen walking away from the home in the 1400 block of Santa Rosa Street shortly after the fire was reported early Saturday. Deputies are still looking for two other individuals considered persons of interest: Lori Chavez, 49, and Patrick Franco, 46.

Deputies responded to the house fire at approximately 3 a.m. and found the residence fully engulfed in flames. One of the residents, a 62-year-old man, suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Three other residents were able to get out safely. No other injuries were reported.

Witnesses told deputies they had gone to the home at about 3 a.m. to pick up a friend when they saw the house fully engulfed in flames. The witnesses said they saw a man they recognized as Mcentire walking away from the home carrying a gas can.

Sheriff’s Detectives sought and executed a search warrant on the home. While investigating, they learned that Mcentire had been at the home Saturday night when he got into a verbal altercation with another man visiting the home.

Mcentire was arrested on three counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree arson, and criminal mischief. He has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail.

If you have information on the whereabouts of Chavez and Franco please call the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 583-6250 or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at (719) 542-STOP (7867).

KRDO first reported on this story just after 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Check back at KRDO.com for updates.