Authorities arrested a 45-year-old Larimer County man after he allegedly fired large fireworks inside his own home when deputies responded to a burglary call. His actions ignited a blaze that killed a cat.

Leonard Francis Simonini was treated for smoke inhalation and dog bites from a police dog before he was arrested for investigation of arson, cruelty to animals, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and violating a bond release, according to a news release from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responding to a burglary alarm at 8:40 p.m. Monday at a home on the 400 block of East 57th Street spotted a man crouching inside. Deputies ordered the man to exit the home, authorities say.

When more deputies arrived, they continued to order the man to leave the home. When the man did not respond, they entered. The man, later identified as Simonini, began shouting at them but did not explain why he was in the home, the news release says.

Deputies entered through an open door. The man began firing fireworks toward the deputies, who left the home as it filled with smoke.

Related Articles September 22, 2020 Drug firing leads Colorado Supreme Court to consider how discipline is handled for 30,000 state employees

September 21, 2020 Shooting victim, armed suspect shot dead by Lakewood police are identified

September 21, 2020 Man suspected of three sex assaults in Jefferson County held on $1 million bond

September 21, 2020 A woman and a juvenile female were shot in west Denver this morning

September 19, 2020 Crowd demands “drop the charges” against Colorado police protest leaders

Simonini followed the deputies outside holding a small gas torch, which he used to light more fireworks. The deputies ordered Simonini to surrender, but he refused. The deputies released a police dog who chased the man inside the home. Several more explosions went off inside the home.

When the smoke intensified, Simonini fled the home and the police dog “apprehended” him with his teeth, according to the news release.

Police evacuated neighboring homes and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority firefighters extinguished the fire. No deputies or firefighters were injured.