Man Set Fireworks That Started Blaze, Injured 3: Fairfield Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — A man is accused of lighting the illegal fireworks that caused a June blaze and sent three first responders to the hospital, according to police.

Steven Botelho was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless burning and illegal use of fireworks without a permit, police said in a news release.

Just before 9 p.m. June 21, law enforcement received reports of aerial fireworks near Chestnut Street and Kings Highway, according to police. Officers arrived to find a large brush fire in a marsh area behind Chestnut Street, near the Metro North train tracks.

The fire grew larger, endangering nearby homes, with firefighters battling the blaze for several hours and calling in assistance from nearby towns, police said. The burned area stretched about 80 square yards. Three Fairfield firefighters suffered minor injuries and were briefly hospitalized, according to police.

READ MORE: 3 Firefighters Injured Battling 'Stubborn' Fairfield Fire

“The Fairfield Police Department would like to stress the importance of residents not attempting to create or engage in a fireworks display to avoid incidents like this occurring in the future,” police said in the news release.

After an investigation, a warrant was issued for Botelho, 38, who turned himself in Monday at police headquarters, according to law enforcement. He is set to appear in court Sept. 23.