Nederland man charged with arson, animal cruelty in Tuesday fire

A Nederland man is facing arson and animal cruelty charges after a structure fire on Wolftongue Cabin Court Tuesday morning that killed a dog.

Homeowner Jarrod Rothwell, 30, admitted to playing with a butane lighter that caught clothes on fire in the basement of the two-story cabin, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office news release.

According to the release, deputies smelled smoke at 1:53 a.m. Tuesday, and then discovered the cabin fully engulfed.

Multiple departments responded to battle the fire and fire personnel search the home for any occupants but found no one, the release said. No injuries to people were reported and no other structures were damaged.

Deputies later learned from Rothwell that a dog was in the home at the time of the fire which he did not try to save or alert first responders of.

The dog was later found dead inside the residence.

Rothwell was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree arson and misdemeanor animal cruelty. He was taken into custody and is scheduled for a first appearance this afternoon.

A booking photo was not immediately available.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Nederland Fire Protection District, Sugarloaf Fire Protection District, Timberline Fire Protection District, American Medical Response and Multi-Agency Fire Investigation Team all responded to the call.

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