Man Charged With Arson In Fire At Amazon Facility: North Haven Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A West Haven man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in North Haven last November, according to police.

The North Haven Police and Fire Departments responded to the Amazon facility on Washington Avenue on Nov. 12, 2023 on the report of a fire.

After the fire was extinguished, police said the initial investigation found that it was intentionally ignited.

“A North Haven Detective, certified in Fire Investigation, worked in collaboration with a Fire Inspector/Investigator from the North Haven Fire Marshal’s Office, in a newly implemented program designed specifically to investigate arson cases,” police wrote in a news release.

Jose Portillo, 20, was identified as a suspect, according to police.

Portillo was arrested Thursday on a warrant and charged with first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was held in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

“This arson investigation was the first case since the implementation of the cooperative arson investigation program between the Police and Fire Dept., which illustrates the importance of a collaborative effort in arson investigations,” police wrote.