Palisade apartment building explosion was set off intentionally, say investigators
PALISADE, Colo. (KJCT) - During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, investigators officially confirmed the identity of both the victim and the man who is accused of setting off the explosion that completely destroyed a Palisade apartment building.
Andrew Alderman, a Palisade local, is the primary suspect. He is accused of setting the explosion off intentionally using an “unknown chemical accelerant,” according to Fire Chief Charles Dalke. Police also confirmed that Alderman is the man seen in widely-circulated, unverified social media posts claiming responsibility for the fire.
Kloey Weythman, also a Palisade resident, was killed in the explosion. The Mesa County Coroner’s office has confirmed that Lynn was killed by “thermal injuries” to her body.
It’s not known exactly why Alderman set the blaze, aside from conclusions that can be drawn from his social media posts. Police stated that they were not sure if the incident was caused by an actual dispute or if the suspect was influenced by mental illness or other factors. Unfortunately, police say that we are not likely to learn whether that was the case as Alderman was found dead by Lake County deputies not long after the explosion.
The Fire Chief Balke confirmed that there were no drug production labs or other illicit activities occurring that contributed to the fire.
You can watch the press conference below:
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This is an update to an actively developing story. Previous coverage is below.
PALISADE, Colo. (KJCT) - Palisade officials will be hosting a press conference later today. New information is expected regarding the apartment building explosion which killed one and rendered six others homeless last week.
Little other information, including the name and status of the suspect, cause of the fire, or identity of the deceased has been verified. However, that is expected to change later today. A press conference will be held at 2:00 pm today and will be livestreamed by KJCT News 8 both on this article and on our dedicated livestream.
The Palisade community has since banded together in an outpouring of support for the displaced victims of the fire, with neighbors donating a large amount of food, blankets, dishes, toilet paper, pet food, and many other items.
According to Palisade Fire Chief Charles Balke, the blaze was larger than what the small agricultural town usually deals with. The building was completely engulfed by towering flames by the time firefighters arrived and will likely be a “complete and total loss,” according to officials
Other information surrounding the fire is a bit more murky. Rumors have circulated through the Grand Valley community and online of a person who posted unverifiable videos to Instagram claiming to be involved in the fire. This person’s involvement has not yet been confirmed or denied by any officials involved in the investigation. The identity of the person who died in the fire has also not been publicized, nor has the victim’s family reached out to local news stations.
As of Wednesday morning, the only information that has been verified are the previously-reported details and a statement from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office that a potential suspect was tracked to Lake County. Any link between a body found in Lake County and the suspect has not been confirmed or denied by investigators as of the writing of this article, though that may change.
More information is expected as the investigation develops.
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