61-Year-Old Man Intentionally Set House Fire to Collect Insurance Money: Police

BETHEL, CT — A Danbury man was arrested Thursday morning for arson and first degree insurance fraud in connection with a fire at his former home at 33 Putnam Park Road in Bethel, police said.

The Bethel Police Department said, William Waller, 61, of Danbury, intentionally set the fire in order to collect insurance money. The fire destroyed the home in January of 2014.

Waller set up a FundRazr site to help "rebuild" after the fire. He wrote:

"Please help us. Our [house] was destroyed in a fire and we would grateful for any help..... my kids and I moved back in with my parents in August due to a neck injury I sustained I have had my neck fused [on] November 8, 2013. I am in physical therapy and won't be able to return to work for months. It's hard to explain it to my children about the tragedy [and I'm] thankful that I have a child therapist on board that's been helping with the divorce."

No money had been raised on the site.

Waller was arrested for first degree arson and insurance fraud after police obtained a warrant for his arrest after a joint investigation with the Bethel Fire Marshal, Bethel Police and State Police Fire and Explosion Unit.

Waller was held on $250,000 bond and arraigned on May 26 , 2016.

Bethel police photo