Canon City man starts fire during fight with girlfriend, arrested

Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man after he started a fire in his home in Canon City during a fight with his live-in girlfriend.

Authorities say Steven Patrick Collins, 29, stopped his girlfriend, Maria Atencio, 26, from leaving their home Friday morning. Collins reportedly grabbed Atencio’s wrists, threw her purse on the roof and disabled her car. Authorities say Collins also took Atencio’s cell phone to keep her from calling for help.

At one point during the fight, Collins poured gasoline on the floor of the couple’s laundry room and kitchen area, and started a fire while Atencio was trying to gather her clothes.

Collins put the fire out after Atencio escaped from the room.

The couple’s three-year-old son was not injured during the incident.

Authorities say Collins damaged more than $1,000 worth of property at the house.

Collins is being held in the Fremont County Detention Center on a no bond hold. He faces felony charges of 1st Degree Arson, False Imprisonment and Criminal Mischief among other misdemeanor chargers.