Criminal Charge Filed After Tolland Open Burning Incident

TOLLAND, CT — A Tolland resident was arrested last week on a criminal charge for an open burning violation in the wake of several warnings from both local and state officials over the past few weeks.

The incident occurred on Nov. 6, just after 11 a.m., on Old Post Road, according to a state police arrest report.

A 23-year-old resident was charged with staging an open fire without a permit. His case was assigned a $10,000 bond and he is due in curt on Nov. 20, according to an arrest report.

The situation intensified when the man was "uncooperative with fire personnel" after a crew arrived at the scene, according to an arrest report.

A day earlier, Tolland fire officials issued a terse warning. It read:

"Attention Tolland residents: Per the order of the Tolland Fire Marshal & Director of Public Safety, the Town of Tolland has placed a ban on all outside fires which includes campfires, outdoor grills, fire pits, and other open flame fires until the extremely high fire danger is removed by State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP). Tolland has responded to several outside fires over the last few weeks and until the emergency ban is removed by DEEP there will be no open burning, no burning permits issued, and no type of outside fire of any kind fire allowed in Tolland. Any current burning permits are also suspended.

"The colder weather is here and it is that time of the year when many residents start their wood stoves or fireplaces. Many have been known to dump their ashes outside which has caused several fires in the past. We are reminding residents to please dispose of wood ashes in a metal bucket and soak the ashes with water before dumping them outside. These fires are very fast moving, difficult to control, and can easily cause significant damage to your homes and personal property.

"If you see a fire, call 911 immediately. The Tolland Fire Department will extinguish all fires."