Connecticut Firefighter Accused Of Setting More Fires

GROTON, Conn. --

A volunteer firefighter in Mystic who was accused of setting a massive blaze is accused of setting two more fires.

Groton police said William Celtruda, 21, of Mystic, a probationary volunteer member with the Mystic Fire Department, is suspected of setting fire to a structure on Little Gull Lane in Mystic and another on Mystic Avenue.

Firefighters were called just after 3 a.m. on Aug. 12 to put out the fire on Little Gull Lane in Mystic, police said. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Investigators determined the fire started in the attached garage area and extended to the breezeway and said the cause was suspicious.

Firefighters received another call less than two hours later to battle a fire on West Mystic Avenue, police. This fire was quickly extinguished and investigators said the cause was also determined to be suspicious.

Groton police investigated and arrested Celtruda, charging him with two counts of first-degree arson and one count of third-degree burglary.

Celtruda is also accused of starting a fire that gutted a historic home on Library Street in Mystic on July 25. He was charged with first-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief in connection with that fire. Celtruda was being held on a $100,000 bond on those charges.

Celtruda is being held by Department of Corrections. He was presented in court and is being held on an additional $ 250,000.00 bond, police said.

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