Man Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire In Stamford Apartment: PD

STAMFORD, CT — A 24-year-old Stamford man is accused of intentionally setting a fire at an apartment where his mother and sister live, according to the Stamford Police Department.

Camilo Vargas-Hernandez was arrested Monday morning on the West Side of Stamford, Asst. Police Chief Richard Conklin said. Vargas-Hernandez was charged with first-degree arson; first-degree reckless endangerment; second-degree criminal mischief; two counts of violation of a protective order; and three counts of risk of injury to a child.

Vargas-Hernandez was given a bond of $250,000.

On Dec. 26 at approximately 8:50 a.m., a second-floor resident of an apartment building in the 20 block of Perry Street reported a strong odor of smoke and the sound of people yelling from the first floor, Conklin said.

Units from the Stamford Fire Department arrived and noticed a man running from the scene, Conklin said. A fire was discovered in the first-level apartment on a mattress, which was quickly extinguished, Conklin said, noting that it was "suspicious."

Sgt. Sean Scanlan, who serves as the department's arson investigator, responded along with Assistant Stamford Fire Marshal Chad Armstrong.

"[They] deemed the fire a deliberate act of arson. While they were investigating, they found two additional locations within the home where a fire was deliberately attempted but did not catch," Conklin said. "Also, they noticed all the fire alarms were removed from the house. Inside the house at this time were six persons including three young juveniles."

Authorities identified Vargas-Hernandez as a suspect, Conklin added. While canvassing the West Side of Stamford three hours later, officers found Vargas-Hernandez and arrested him without incident, Conklin said.

Vargas-Hernandez had a protective order on file which prohibited him from visiting the Perry Street apartment where his mother and sister live, Conklin said, adding that in the past, Vargas-Hernandez had used the apartment as his address.