Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bradley Lee Eckert, 48, of Boulder, in connection with a suspected arson fire that destroyed a duplex at 366 and 368 Lefthand Canyon Drive early Saturday morning. The fire, which was reported by neighbors at about 3:20 a.m., forced the evacuation of the residents. Firefighters from the Lefthand Fire Protection District, Lyons Fire Protection District, Boulder Rural Fire Protection District, Mountain View Fire Protection District, and Hygiene Volunteer Fire Department assisted in suppressing the blaze. An estimate as to the total loss sustained is not yet available.

Mr. Eckert was taken into custody outside the Longmont Super Walmart, Colorado Highway 66 and US Highway 287, at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Mr. Eckert was booked into the Boulder County Jail on charges of First Degree Arson, Felony Menacing, False Imprisonment, Third Degree Assault, Obstruction of Telephone Service, Domestic Violence, Aggravated Driving While Under Revocation, Driving as a Habitual Traffic Offender, Driving Under the Influence, and two outstanding Failure to Appear warrants. He remains in Jail pending an appearance before a judge and a bond hearing.

Mr. Eckert was a periodic resident of one of the units and was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute with a tenant. The Sheriff’s Office will not identify the tenant out of concern for her safety and respect for her privacy.