Teen arrested in fire that destroyed 349 apartments

By Timothy Pratt (contact)

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

A 17-year-old teen was arrested Tuesday morning in connection with what officials called one of the worst fires in Clark County history, officials said.

The teen was arrested about 11 a.m. at his home and charged with nine counts of first-degree arson. His name was not released and he was being held at the county's juvenile detention center, county fire spokesman Bob Leimbach said.

He was called a "troubled kid" by Michael O'Callaghan, the prosecutor handling the case.

The Sept. 4 fire destroyed 349 apartments that were unoccupied and still under construction near Russell Road and Boulder Highway, leaving about $10 million in damage -- as well as the lingering rumor that it could have been part of a terrorist plot or a serial arsonist's crime spree, County Fire Chief Earl Greene said.

Greene said the department announced the arrest to "put the rumors to rest -- there are no terrorists out there, no serial arsonist." At the same time, the official said he could not release details about the teen's alleged motives or even how the fire at Firenze apartments was set.

He said the investigation into the fire was ongoing, but that there was "probable cause and excellent evidence" connecting the teen to the crime -- including videotape and eyewitnesses.

O'Callaghan said the case involved "a big offense by a troubled kid who screwed up and it got way out of control."

The chief deputy district attorney will decide in the coming days whether to recommend if the teen should be tried and sentenced as an adult or remain in the juvenile justice system, the difference between possibly going to prison or not. That decision will be made by a juvenile judge.

If the teen is tried as an adult, he could face 15 years in prison and a fine of $15,000 for each count.

Keith Heinzerling, resident agent in charge of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Tuesday's arrest resulted from a tip by Henderson Police officers investigating an unrelated crime.

"That was really a fortunate break," Heinzerling said. He declined to release details about the crime or the tip.

The official said local and federal agencies decided to prosecute the case out of the district attorney's office after the arrest in part because it would be easier that having a federal agency prosecute. A federal agency would have to submit the case to the attorney general's office in Washington first, he said.

Jim Hernquist, president of Ovation Development, owner of the Firenze apartments, said he was "grateful that (authorities) ... have brought closure to this tragic event," and that the apartments would be rebuilt and ready to be occupied in January.

The developer also said it was "disturbing to know that a juvenile would do such a terrible act and put so many people's lives at risk."