Greeley, CO – Arson fire at apartment 70-unit complex extinguished by sprinkler system

A woman is in jail after police say she set fire Tuesday evening to an apartment after an argument with her husband. Mindilynn Zekan, 39, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson after a fire at the Meeker Commons Apartments, 505 9th Ave., according to a news release from the Greeley Police Department. An engine, ladder truck and battalion chief responded to the fire about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday.

By the time crews arrived, no one was inside the apartment and the sprinkler system had extinguished the fire, according to a Greeley Fire Department release. After shutting down the water flow to the activated sprinkler, crews ventilated the apartment to remove smoke and residents were allowed back into the building that night. The complex has more than 70 apartments and more than 100 residents.

Zekan was present at the scene and interviewed about the incident. Greeley Police say Zekan was upset about an argument with her husband and began setting his property on fire. Zekan was taken to the Weld County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson. She remained in custody Wednesday morning pending an appearance in court. The dollar amount of fire and water damage has not been established.