<\/p>\n
A Durango man with a previous arson conviction is suspected of setting fire to a shed Thursday in south Durango.<\/p>\n
Duane Suazo, 51, was being held Friday on $25,000 bail at the La Plata County Jail on suspicion of felony arson and obstructing a police officer, a misdemeanor.<\/p>\n
Police arrived about 6:45 p.m. in the 700 block of East First Street to find a large shed engulfed in flames, said Lt. Ray Shupe of the Durango Police Department.<\/p>\n
Suazo stood inside a shed next to the one on fire holding something in his hand that was burning, according to police and an arrest affidavit filed in La Plata County Combined Courts.<\/p>\n
It appeared as though Suazo was about to start a second fire, so an officer grabbed him and pulled him out of the shed, the affidavit says.<\/p>\n
Suazo is accused of fighting with the officer and trying to hit him, the affidavit says.<\/p>\n
Suazo was handcuffed and taken to the Durango Police station, where he said he lit the shed on fire for \u201crevenge\u201d against his sister.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuane claimed his items went missing so he burned everything he owned that was stored in the shed,\u201d the affidavit says.<\/p>\n
He went on to say he smoked methamphetamine, marijuana and had two drinks.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuane claimed to hear voices and decided to \u2018burn it,\u2019\u201d the affidavit says.<\/p>\n
He apparently used two lighters, newspapers and other items to start the blaze.<\/p>\n
Durango Fire Protection District did not return a phone call Friday seeking comment.<\/p>\n
Suazo was arrested in September 2015 at the same address for starting a shed on fire. He pleaded guilty that year to misdemeanor arson and was sentenced to 90 days in jail with credit for time served.<\/p>\n
At the time, police said Suazo was dealing with some \u201cserious mental health issues\u201d and was possibly on meth. He was seen cutting things up with a knife and feeding the fire.<\/p>\n