Handyman convicted of causing blast that destroyed rowhome

DENVER - A jury has convicted a handyman of intentionally causing an explosion that leveled a brick rowhome in Denver, injuring nine people, including himself.

KUSA-TV reports 57-year-old Todd Perkins was found guilty Friday of multiple charges stemming from the Aug. 14, 2018, blast near downtown. They include attempted first-degree murder, arson and assault.

Perkins is accused of sparking the explosion after breaking into one of the apartments, pouring gasoline in several places and using a wrench to release natural gas from lines leading to a stove.

Prosecutors say he was retaliating against the owner of the building, who had recently fired him from his role as a handyman.