Northford Man Charged After Investigation Into Explosive Predawn Fire In Early June: NBPD

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — On June 5, at around 2 a.m., both the North Branford police and fire departments were called to a reported structure fire at 21 David Lane in Northford.

Initial 911 callers and responding officers reported hearing multiple explosions, which were believed to have been caused by propane tanks located on the property.

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As reported by Patch last month, a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spokesperson described the site as a "hoarding situation.” The fire was fueled and compounded by chemicals, myriad fuels and propane tanks, DEEP spokesperson Bill Flood said.

“There are an unknown number of containers of pool chemicals, some of which have been compromised by the fire," Flood said in an email to Patch at the time. “There are also an unknown number of containers of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other motor vehicle fluids that have been compromised."

Flood said that "numerous propane cylinders have been observed, some of which have been damaged by the fire and some underwent BLEVE," the acronym for boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion.

Late Thursday, police said an “extensive and thorough investigation was conducted by the North Branford Police Department, Officer Michael Torre, who is certified by the State of Connecticut as a Fire Investigator, the North Branford Fire Marshal's Office, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.”

As a result of the investigation, on July 2, the North Branford Police Department received a signed arrest warrant, authorized through the New Haven State's Attorney's Office, for Robert Onofrio, 57, of 21 David Lane, Northford.

Onofrio turned himself in to police and was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. He is scheduled to appear at New Haven Superior Court July 9.

“The North Branford Police Department extends its appreciation to the New Haven State's Attorney's Office, the North Branford Fire Department, the North Branford Fire Marshal's Office, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for their professionalism, expertise, and collaboration throughout this investigation,” police said. “These partnerships are critical to ensuring thorough investigations and promoting the safety of our community. We also recognize the significant impact this incident had on those directly affected, as well as on the responding emergency personnel. We are grateful to everyone who assisted during this incident and throughout the subsequent investigation.”

All arrests are subject to judicial review and determination in a court of law. The information presented is based on probable cause and does not constitute a conviction.