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Peck's Lane Fire Sparks Arson Investigation

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BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Fire officials are investigating a suspicious blaze which destroyed a vacant

wood-frame house at 24 Pecks Lane, near Turkey Hill Road, about 9 pm June 11.

Firefighters from the United Fire Company of Botsford, Newtown Hook and

Ladder, and Sandy Hook responded to the fire which resulted in an estimated

$70,000 in damage to the property, said Fire Marshal George Lockwood.

The site, which lies on the east side of Pecks Lane, had fallen into a state

of disrepair during the past several years. The property is at the

intersection of Pecks Lane and Turkey Hill Road, just across Turkey Hill Road

from some youth athletic fields. The property had been the site of past town

zoning regulation violations.

The building has been vacant for about seven years, he said. The property is

in an industrial zone, Mr Lockwood said.

The property was purchased last fall by Richard Kovacs, Margaret Kovacs and

Wanda McGarry, Mr Lockwood said.

Mr Lockwood suspects the fire was arson. "Someone set the house on fire," he

said.

An accelerant, such as gasoline, was used, he added. Mr Lockwood said he

expects that more than five gallons of accelerant was used to start the blaze.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was completely consumed in

flames. The blaze apparently had had time to get going strongly before firemen

arrived. The structure was largely gutted by flames, Mr Lockwood said.

Detective Sergeant Henry Stormer of the police department and Sandy Hook

Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead are aiding Mr Lockwood

in the case. Messrs Stormer and Halstead are deputy fire marshals. Mr Lockwood

and Mr Halstead inspected the fire scene June 12. Some beds were found in the

building, Mr Lockwood said.

Town Building Inspector Tom Paternoster said Wednesday he is condemning the

heavily-damaged house, requiring that it be demolished.

Botsford Fire Chief Steve Belair said the Connecticut Light and Power company

sent workers to the fire scene to disconnect electric service to the building.

Firefighters weren't able to put water on the section of the building with

electrical lines until the electricity was disconnected, he said.

Firefighters employed an "exterior attack" in extinguishing the blaze, he

said.

When firefighters arrived at the scene flames were shooting out of every

window of the house, Chief Belair said.

About 40 firefighters overall went to the fire. The Newtown Volunteer

Ambulance Corps responded. There were no reported injuries.

Firefighters had searched the building to learn if there were any vagrants

inside it, he said.

The blaze marks the third major house fire in the Botsford fire district this

year.