Man charged with arson following fire at halfway house in Montville, Connecticut

A man was arrested for starting a fire at a halfway house for ex-offenders in Montville.

Fire response and evacuations

According to state police Juan Betancourt, 42, of New Haven, started the fire inside the Cochegan House on Norwich New London Turnpike.

The person who called them reported that a person lit the fire in the building then fled. A description was provided.

At the time, troopers said 23 people were inside and at risk of danger.

State and Montville police found him walking northbound along Route 32, north of the scene. Troopers said he was uncooperative and refused to obey their commands.

Cause of fire under investigation

He was eventually arrested and charged with first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief, interfering with an officer, and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Betancourt was held on a $250,000 bond and given a court date of Friday in Norwich.