Man Who Caused Denver Apartment Explosion Sentenced To 195 Years

DENVER — A man who caused an explosion at a Denver apartment building in 2018 was sentenced Friday to 195 years in prison. The blast injured nine people in the city's Baker neighborhood.

Todd Norman Perkins was found guilty in January of arson and attempted first-degree murder.

On Aug. 14, 2018, the multi-unit brick building near 4th Ave. and Santa Fe Drive was ripped by two explosions that were felt blocks away. The explosion threw bricks and debris into the street in front and back of the building and injured people inside and outside. The explosions damaged several cars and a building across the street.

Investigators found gas lines forced open and that gasoline cans had been poured out near the fire. When investigators came to the building, they could still smell natural gas.

Fire officials said a "great deal of premeditation"was behind the explosion that may have resulted from Perkins being fired by the landlord and his antagonistic relationship with tenants. Perkins lived in a trailer on the property, Pixley said.

“This lengthy sentence is wholly appropriate given that Todd Norman Perkins was calculating and callous in his intent to inflict the maximum harm on his victims," Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in a statement.

"He is a danger to the broader Denver community and we are all better off with him behind bars. I reiterate my praise for the dozens of first responders, the Denver Fire Department, the Denver Police Department and my amazing staff of victim advocates, investigators and prosecutors for their hard work on this case.”

The investigation took six months and help was provided by agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Jean Lotus contributed to this report.