Foreclosure-Motivated Arson Concerns Some Fire Officials In Connecticut

WTNH-TV Channel 9 in New Haven, Connecticut has recently broadcast two unrelated reports involving fires at homes whose owners are subject to foreclosure actions:

• Meriden: It turns out that a fire in Meriden was no accident. Investigators say it's a case of arson which may be tied to a foreclosure. A two-alarm blaze Monday, at the Center street house, is now being called criminal. And fire officials fear it's the beginning of a trend -- foreclosure-motivated arson.

• "Statewide fire marshals are looking at it a lot more closely," Meriden Fire Marshal Steve Trella said. "And unfortunately I believe, yes, we are going to have a lot more of them until there's some resolution to the foreclosure issue."

For more, see Fire at foreclosed house in Meriden ruled arson.

• Niantic / Waterford: Fires in Niantic and Waterford are being investigated because it turns out the properties are owned or managed by the same woman who may be in financial trouble. [...] The state fire marshal's office is now investigating after they learned both properties were connected to [the same owner].

For more, see Foreclosure fires? ArsonForeclosureAlpha