26-year-old suspect in Colorado fire likely sparked by illegal fireworks arrested in Florida

On the evening of July 31, a scary situation unfolded in Boulder when a fire was started near Panorama Point with evidence pointing to illegal fireworks being a factor. Thankfully, that blaze was extinguished relatively quickly, though the incident prompted local authorities to start an investigation into who might be to blame.

Eyewitness video captured that night appeared to show people in the area lighting fireworks with flames visible. At that point, authorities stated that they were seeking to talk to people who may have been involved, also noting that Alan Khoshaba, 26 and of New Jersey with additional ties to Florida, was one individual they were seeing to contact.

Flash forward to August 14, when authorities announced that two suspects in the case had been arrested – the aforementioned Khoshaba and 20-year-old Cameron Brown. Brown was booked into the Boulder County Jail and released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond, while Khoshaba was booked into Florida's Palm Beach County Detention Center, at last report remaining in custody awaiting a hearing.

Charges that suspects face include felony second-degree arson, felony criminal mischief, and a reckless endangerment misdemeanor, with investigators still working with the Boulder County District Attorney to determine if charges related to fire restrictions that were underway at the time of the blaze are appropriate.

Sheriff Curtis Johnson said, “I appreciate the tips that we received from the public, and the hard work of our investigators, that led to the arrest warrants and apprehension of these suspects. We take fire safety very seriously in Boulder County and will investigate and work with prosecutors to charge anyone who endangers our community.”

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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