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A volunteer firefighter accused of starting a fire that gutted a historic Mystic home went back to fight the fire, the chief of the department said.
William Celtruda, 21, was arraigned on charges he set a Library Street house on fire on July 25.
Celtruda quietly listened as Judge Kevin McMahon discussed his record, which includes an arrest for harassment in Waterford and a driving under the influence charge.
Groton police arrested Celtruda Wednesday after a three-week investigation. Celtruda, a volunteer at the Mystic Fire Department, was charged with first-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief.
The chief did not want to comment further than reading a prepared statement.
Its devastating to the Mystic Fire Department and to the community we serve, said Fritz Hilbert, chief of the Mystic Fire Department.
Hilbert said that moments after the fire started, Celtruda returned to the scene to help his co-workers put it out.
McMahon called the blaze a hero fire that endangered firefighters.
Celtruda is being held on a $100,000 bond.
McMahon said that is low considering the gravity of the charges.
Celtruda will next appear in court in September.
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