Vernon Landlord Charged After Fumigating Occupied Home: Report

VERNON, CT — The landlord of a Vernon rental home has been charged with 11 counts of first-degree reckless endangerment in the case of the dwelling being fumigated while the residents were there, according to a police report.

Police said 51-year-old Phillip Rizzuto was also charged with four counts of risk of injury to a child for the incident. He was to appear in court on Monday and has posted a $75,000 bond in the case, records show.

The fumigation took place at at Grove Street home at 7:47 a.m. on June 29, according to a report. Residents had become ill with vomiting, coughing, "choking," and labored breathing, police said.

A total of 11 people live at the residence, according to a report.

An inspection of the canister indicated it was designed for discharge in an empty, ventilated home with a two-hour window before re-occupation, according to a report.

One person went to an area hospital and the other residents were treated at the scene, according to a report.

One tenant had a protective order issued against Rizzuto and Rizzuto was charged with violating it for showing up when the tenant was home, according to a report.