Connecticut Firefighter Accused Of Arson Has Record

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A volunteer firefighter accused of starting a fire that gutted a historic Mystic home went back to fight the fire, the chief of the department said.

William Celtruda, 21, was arraigned on charges he set a Library Street house on fire on July 25.

Celtruda quietly listened as Judge Kevin McMahon discussed his record, which includes an arrest for harassment in Waterford and a driving under the influence charge.

Groton police arrested Celtruda Wednesday after a three-week investigation. Celtruda, a volunteer at the Mystic Fire Department, was charged with first-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief.

The chief did not want to comment further than reading a prepared statement.

��It��s devastating to the Mystic Fire Department and to the community we serve,�� said Fritz Hilbert, chief of the Mystic Fire Department.

Hilbert said that moments after the fire started, Celtruda returned to the scene to help his co-workers put it out.

McMahon called the blaze a ��hero fire�� that endangered firefighters.

Celtruda is being held on a $100,000 bond.

McMahon said that is low considering the gravity of the charges.

Celtruda will next appear in court in September.

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