3 Charged in Arson

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3 Shelton, Connecticut Volunteer Firefighters Charged In Arson


MICHAEL P. MAYKO
Courtesy of Connecticut Post

A black cloud looms ominously over the volunteer fire department after three of the city's bravest face charges involving a Saturday morning arson that destroyed a home being built on Soundview Avenue.

To further darken the cloud, Police Officer Christopher Wooden saw the trio flee in a city EMS rescue vehicle.

Under arrest are Charles Eye, 20, of Beecher Avenue, a volunteer at Echo Hose Co. and with the EMS; Andrew Evans, 17, of Molnar Drive and Jonathan Belanger, 19, of Theodore Drive, both volunteers at Huntington Hose Co. All three confessed to their roles in the early Saturday morning blaze of the unoccupied house, police said. Freed after posting $25,000 bonds, the three will be arraigned May 24 in Derby Superior Court.

Fire Chief John Millo said, "I just hope the bad choices of a few individuals does not cast a bad reflection on the entire department.

"I think the speed in which the investigation was conducted shows how seriously we view an incident like this. Overall, the men and women of the Shelton Fire Department are brave, dedicated individuals," Millo said.

Shelton EMS Chief Jason Perillo said, "Obviously, we take this extremely serious and I just thank God that no one was injured. We've suspended those involved effective immediately pending further information and will continue to assist the investigation in any way we can."

Wooden, the Shelton police officer, was on routine patrol when he spotted a huge orange glow in the sky shortly after 3 a.m.

As he raced in the direction of the fire, he saw the EMS cruiser speeding away in the opposite direction.

"He thought that was a little bit odd, so he radioed it in," said Detective Sgt. Michael Madden.

Shelton police investigators then checked radio dispatch and determined the occupants in the vehicle, which was being driven by Eye, did not report the fire. They immediately became suspects, police said.

Eye had permission to use the vehicle even though he was off duty, Madden said.

Police said Eye later returned to the scene without Evans and Belanger.

The Huntington, Echo and White Hills Hose companies responded to the blaze and quickly brought it under control, said James Tortora, the city's fire marshal.

Police Detective Michael Fusco, along with Madden, Wooden and Detective Ben Trabka participated in the investigation that quickly led to the arrest.

Within four hours after the blaze began, the trio confessed and was charged.

"They wanted to be the first to respond," said one of the investigators.

"Evans and Belanger are charged with arson in the first degree," Madden said. "Eye is charged with conspiracy to commit arson first-degree."

Combing through the remains, Tortora and Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Rockwell determined the blaze was arson and was set on the first floor.

The Colonial-style home was framed and roofed but the inside had not yet been Sheet-rocked or wired, according to Trabka, the police arson specialist.

It is not far from Elizabeth Shelton Elementary school.

He estimated the damage at about $175,000. The house, being built by Key Development, was being marketed for $619,900. Kenneth Schaible Jr. owns Key Development.

Police believe gasoline was used to set the blaze in the first floor area of the home.

Tortora said state police Detective Ken Christensen and his dog trained in sniffing out accelerants were called to the scene. He said evidence was sent to the state police laboratory. There, forensic scientists will determine what was used to start the fire.

An inspector for the state's attorney's office in Milford also assisted investigators.

The roughly 200-member volunteer department has been held in high esteem across the state since their performance in extinguishing the March 1, 1975 Sponge Rubber Products arson before it could wipe out the downtown.

Saturday's arson, however, is not the first time a Shelton volunteer firefighter has been arrested for arson. In the 1990s, Albert Falcioni was sentenced to 20 years in prison, suspended after serving eight, for a string of fires he set in this city.