Six Connecticut Firefighters Injured Battling Arson Fire
Source The Hartford Courant, Conn.
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- A South Street fire that injured nine -- one seriously -- was intentionally set, a local building official said Wednesday morning.
The Windham fire marshal and members of the state fire marshal's office ruled the fire an arson after an investigation, Matthew Vertefeuille, director of the Town of Windham's Department of Code Enforcement, stated in a press release.
Willimantic police had asked that the state police major crime squad join the investigation, said Lt. J. Paul Vance, state police spokesman.
Nine people, including six firefighters, were injured in the early morning fire at an apartment house at 62 South St. One was critically injured.
Kathy Hill, a University of Connecticut researcher, was rescued by firefighters and remains in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. Her husband, David Marshall, was treated and released at Windham Hospital after jumping from a third floor window to escape the flames.
A third man, Gerard Sinopoli, 68, was admitted to the hospital and was in stable condition.
Six firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze.
A $2,500 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Connecticut State Police's arson hotline, 1-800-842-7766.
Copyright 2012 - The Hartford Courant, Conn.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
