Man Set Fire To Hotel Room: Groton Police

GROTON, CT — Police said they have arrested a hotel resident for arson following an early morning hotel room fire.

At 5:34 a.m. Wednesday, the Groton Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a guest of the Flagship Inn & Suites, 470 Gold Star Highway, reporting a man was breaking out windows and attempting to light an adjacent room on fire, police said.

Police arrived and discovered that a hotel room was on fire. Officers attempted to gain entry but were unsuccessful, police said.

Fire personnel arrived, gained access to the room, and extinguished the fire, which was contained to a single room, police said.

Officers located the room’s occupant, later identified as Shawn W. Barrows, 30, of Groton, sitting on a curb a short distance from the room, police said.

Police said it was determined that Barrows had intentionally set fire to his hotel room.

He was transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London for evaluation and treatment of possible smoke inhalation.

Upon discharge, he was arrested and transported to Groton Police Headquarters, processed, and held on a $150,000 bond.

Barrows was a resident at the Flag Ship Inn & Suites, his last known address. He is charged with first-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree breach of peace.

No injuries were reported as a result of this fire.

Groton Police Detectives and Fire Investigators responded to assist with the investigation. The fire remains under investigation by the Groton Police Department’s Fire Investigation Unit and the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Marshal.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or other criminal activity are encouraged to contact the Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.