Fire at Foreclosed House in Connecticut Ruled Arson

The fire marshal in Meriden, Connecticut says a house fire on Center Street in a vacant home that had been foreclosed on five months ago was intentionally set.

Fire Marshal Steve Trella says the Monday night fire had been set at several points within the house.

Fire officials have been alerted to watch for potential arson as the number of foreclosures has grown over the past year. They say the concern is when people are about to lose their homes, they may try to get money through insurance fraud or that arson may be used as revenge.

State Police Sgt. Chris Johnson says while fire marshals have been informed to look for possible arson of foreclosed properties, there has been no increase in the need for such investigations.

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Information from: Record-Journal