Crime & Safety

Oil Container Filled With Gas Used In Manchester Arson: Police

Manchester police said an arson suspect filled an oil container with gas, emptied it at a home and then lit the house on fire.

A container similar to the one used in a Wednesday arson in Manchester.
A container similar to the one used in a Wednesday arson in Manchester. (David McNew/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester police said a motor oil container filled with gas was used in a violent arson case in town Wednesday.

The case is still being investigated, police said.

According to police, in the early morning hours on Wednesday, someone broke into a Manchester home and poured gasoline and lighter fluid throughout the first floor. The home was occupied at the time, police said.

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Police did not disclose the address.

A fire was then ignited and it was dangerously close to three occupants, including a teenager and a toddler, according to police.

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The arsonist used a yellow, 5-quart Pennzoil container, police said. Manchester police released an image of a similar container.

(Amazon Product Shot Distributed by Manchester Police Department.)

Investigators believe the arsonist may have filled the container with gasoline at an area filling station.

Anyone with information about the fire, or about a person filling the yellow 5-quart container with gasoline, can contact the lead investigator in the case, Det. Claire Hearn, at 860-645-5549.

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