8-Year-Old Arrested for Arson in Connecticut
An eight year old Connecticut girl has been arrested and charged with arson after allegedly causing a fire that severely damaged a three-family home, displacing 14 people.
A Norwich, CT youth has been arrested and charged with third-degree arson after an April 30th fire that left three families homeless, including the girl's. The arrest came on May 15th. 14 people, half of whom were children, were displaced and several birds and a dog perished in the blaze on Central Avenue that severely damaged the three-family housing unit.
Third degree arson is a Class C felony, according to the
Norwich Bulletin, and punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The definition, according to the website;
A person commits third-degree arson if they “recklessly (cause) destruction or damage to a building by intentionally starting a fire,” according to state statute.
Police are calling the girl's role in the blaze a "reckless action".
The arrest left neighbors disappointed. Allison Narkawicz, also a resident of the building, said of the youth, "She's a sweet little girl. She's a kid, and kids make mistakes".
The fire was reported to have started in the kitchen area on the first floor.