Dog cremation sparked Colorado wildfire, authorities say

Pet's cremation got out of control when a spray can the owner threw into the blaze blew and lit a tree on fire, according to court records

NUCLA, Colo. — Wildfire investigators looking for the cause of blaze in western Colorado last month discovered the partially burned remains of a dog, leading to the conclusion that a man’s attempted cremation of his pet sparked a fire that damaged private property including a cabin.

Law enforcement arrested the man this month and he is now charged with arson and trespassing, court documents show. Authorities say the cremation ceremony started the fire on Aug. 1 that’s estimated to have caused about $200,000 in damages and burned about 28 square kilometres, the Denver Post reported. The burn is now largely contained.