Police: Federal Heights man started fire in home rigged with explosives

Police say a man from Federal Heights faces an attempted murder charge after placing a dozen explosive devices inside a mobile home and setting it on fire Wednesday.

Steven Richard Truetken, 56, didn’t say why he did it, but he admitted that he poured “gasoline into and around the home of his neighbor, and ignited the gasoline knowing that at least one person was in the home,” according to a news release.

The fire, near Moselle and Tejon streets, sent plumes of smoke into the air Wednesday, and firefighters immediately responded. The fire itself was put out fairly quickly, but officials learned that the home may have been rigged with explosives. Neighbors were forced to evacuate, though most were able to return home late Wednesday, according to ABC7 in Denver.

ABC7 reports that officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were still at the home Thursday morning collecting evidence. The Adams County bomb squad sent in a bomb-disarming robot and at least 12 explosive devices were recovered and neutralized. Police haven’t said what types of explosive devices were found.

Truetken told police he planned to fill his house with natural gas so he could destroy it, but he didn’t activate the valve.

Truetken faces multiple charges, including criminal attempted second-degree murder.