On April 15, 2020, at approximately 11:45 PM, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received numerous reports of a structure fire in the 5500 block of Molly Court in Black Forest. The Black Forest Fire Department responded, but the home was a total loss. According to the El Paso County Assessor’s website, the current market value of the home is in excess of $800,000.

The circumstances of the fire were deemed suspicious and a joint investigation was launched.

As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for the homeowner, Samir Bhatt (DOB: 05/29/1978).

On April 18, 2020, Bhatt was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Jail on felony charges of First Degree Arson, Insurance Fraud, Criminal Mischief and Domestic Violence.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office would like to thank Black Forest Fire Department, Fountain Fire Department, Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Colorado Springs Police Department in assisting with the investigation and arrest of Bhatt.

Attached to this press release is a mugshot of Samir Bhatt.

Anyone with information concerning this incident are encouraged to contact El Paso County Sheriff's Office Detective Jon Price at 719-520-7505 or our Tip Line at 719-520-6666.