Pre-Trial Date Set for Man Accused of Intentionally Setting Bethel House on Fire

BETHEL, CT — A Danbury man arrested last May for arson in connection with a 2014 fire police say he intentionally set at his Bethel home to collect insurance money is due in court on Sept. 8 for a pre-trial hearing, according to court records.

A Bethel police spokesman said that William Waller, 61, of Danbury, was arrested in May of 2016 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 Waller 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 assking for $50,000 to help his family "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 last May after a joint investigation with the Bethel Fire Marshal, Bethel Police and State Police Fire and Explosion Unit.

Related:

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

Bethel police photo