Arson Destroys South King Street Home

The Danbury Fire Marshal's office concluded the house destroyed by fire late Sunday night an into Monday morning was set intentionally.

Fire Marshal James Johnson said the most likely spot the fire started was in the living room, where trained dogs sniffed out an accellerant. The crime is now being investigated by detectives.

The house is tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood, and the house is set well back from the street. The fire was discovered after a domestic disturbance in the house earlier Sunday night.

The Danbury Police Department is keeping people away from the house as the investigation continues. From the road, it appears that the north and east sides of the house are gone. The only corner still standing is the south west corner.

The fire destroyed a 1,200-square-foot home, but no one was injured in the fire. The first engine on the scene was Engine 25, which is based at Danbury Airport.

"They got there pretty quick, but when they arrived, the fire was going pretty good," said Danbury Fire Marshal Johnson.

"Two people were displaced by the fire," Johnson said.

Mike Batiste, who lives with his family at 119 South King St., said he slept through the fire next door to his house. Between his house and the fire is a red garage that is part of the property at 91 South King St. People going to 91 park at the garage and then walk down a hill and across a short lawn to reach the house at 91.

"Even my dog didn't bark," Batiste said.