‘Suspicious’ Fires Under Investigation in Stratford

Stratford, CT — Stratford fire officials are investigating two “suspicious” fires that occurred over a 13-hour period and asking residents with any information to contact them or call an arson tip line.

The fires took place at a vacant multi-family residence at 28-30 Riverview Place, located off of Ferry Boulevard, on July 6 and July 7, according to Deputy Chief of Operations Jon Gottfried.

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The first fire was called into Stratford 911 at about 1:50 p.m., reporting smoke and fire issuing from the rear of the structure.

Shift Commander Assistant Chief Michael Camperlengo was first on the scene and the last fire unit to clear the scene was 3:06 p.m.

No injuries were reported and the damage was confined to the siding on the second and first-floor rear porch, according to Gottfried.

The second fire was reported to Stratford 911 by a Winters Bros. sanitation truck driver on his early morning route at 2:05 a.m. with the fire department dispatched on the scene minutes later.

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Car 3 Assistant Chief Michael Camperlengo reported a large area of fire burning up the exterior front section of the structure. This fire was placed under control within 25 minutes with the last fire unit leaving the scene at 4:36 a.m.

“In both cases the fires were intentionally set on the exterior potion of the structure, the property was vacant; the gas and electric utilities were shut off after the first fire,” Gottfried said in a press release. “The property recently changed ownership and the Stratford Police and Fire Marshals Office are actively investigating these two serious incidents.”

Anyone with information related to the two fires are encouraged to contact either the Stratford Detective Division or the Stratford Fire Marshals Office or they may contact 1-800 84 arson.

In cases of arson, a reward is available from the State Fire Marshals Office for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing the crime of arson, according to Gottfried.

“During both fires, the Bridgeport Fire Department and the Milford Fire Department under the multicity automatic mutual aid agreement sent apparatus to cover Stratford Fire Headquarters for any subsequent incidents,” Gottfried said.