Ridgefield Man And Another Accused Of Igniting A Fire In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Two men were arrested on warrants by Fairfield police over the weekend in connection with a Dec. 7 fire that did $400,000 worth of damage to a commercial structure, according to authorities.

Plymouth, Massachusetts resident Samuel Archer, 19, and Ridgefield resident Henry Hirsch, 20, are accused of setting the fire, and were both charged with third-degree arson and second-degree reckless endangerment. Both were released after posting bonds on bails of $50,000 each, and they are scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Monday.

The fire was reported at about 4:30 p.m. on the 7th in the Heritage Square Plaza at 1700 Post Road in downtown Fairfield, and upon arrival, firefighters saw "significant flames" coming from the building.

"Fairfield Fire Department crews successfully evacuated the building and brought the flames under control, preventing further damage to surrounding properties and ensuring the safety of everyone in the area," said Fairfield Police Sgt. Jenna Wellington in a statement.

"Following a joint investigation by the Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department, it was determined that the fire originated from the actions of two individuals who were intentionally attempting to ignite dry leaves within the building's stairwell," Wellington added. "The leaves and other debris ignited, quickly escalating into a large fire that caused significant damage to the building, estimated at approximately $400,000. Thankfully, no injuries were reported."

According to Wellington, the fire was closest to Prisco Hot Tubs, The Day Spa, with the second-floor office of attorney David Arron, but those businesses did not sustain any damage, as the blaze was "primarily contained to the exterior of the building and the stairwell."

The incident marks the second time young men were arrested in Fairfield on reckless endangerment charges related to fires. In January, Fairfield residents Nathaniel Lennon and Daniel Calarco were accused of detonating homemade bombs in a secluded area in the Pine Creek Marsh in Fairfield, also in December.

Speaking about the most recent arrests, Wellington said the Post Road incident "underscores the severe consequences of reckless behavior involving fire."

"Arson is a serious crime that endangers lives, property, and the safety of the community," Wellington said. "The Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department urge all residents to exercise extreme caution when handling flammable materials and to educate young people about the dangers of fire. Preventative measures can save lives and prevent tragedies.

"The Fairfield Police Department would like to recognize the swift actions of our community members who called 911 and assisted responders in this investigation. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community."