Man Tried To Set Person On Fire; Destroyed 2 Trailers And 2 Vehicles: Middletown Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A man was hospitalized after he attempted to light a person on fire and set two trailers and two vehicles ablaze, authorities said.

Officers responded shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday to the 500 block of Washington Street, where a female exited a trailer, according to police. A 55-year-old man had poured gasoline on the female as well as the trailer in an attempt to light both on fire, according to police.

The female refused treatment and the man refused to exit the trailer, police said. Officers established a perimiter and evacuated neighbors, according to police, who said a drone was deployed to monitor the situation due to concerns that the man was armed or that his trailer’s propane tank could be ignited.

Negotiations with the man were unsuccessful and he lit the trailer on fire, exiting the structure a few minutes later, police said. The man turned himself over to officers after his trailer was fully engulfed in flames and a nearby trailer was starting to catch fire, according to police, at which time firefighters extinguished the blaze. The fire destroyed both trailers and two vehicles, police said.

The man suffered burns and was taken to Middlesex Hospital and airlifted to Bridgeport Hospital’s burn unit, where he was in stable condition Sunday, according to police.

The Middletown Health Department coordinated temporary housing for those who were displaced.

The case remains under investigation, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Daniel Smith at 860-638-4131.