Shelton Man Charged In Fireworks-Related House Fire Case: Police

SHELTON, CT — A man was charged this week in connection to a fire that broke out last month at a Shelton home containing a large number of fireworks, resulting in a controlled burn of the home, according to police.

In a news release, Police Det. Christopher Nugent said Stephen Lupkas, 54, of Shelton, was arrested on a warrant Monday in connection to the residential fire investigation.

Lupkas was charged with reckless endangerment and illegal possession of fireworks. He was released on a promise to appear in court later this month.

According to Nugent, Shelton firefighters and police were called to a Bruce Drive home on June 22 around 6:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a residential fire. The residents of the home evacuated safely before crews arrived.

While extinguishing the fire, crews encountered a large number of fireworks that actively went off as they suppressed the blaze, which was concentrated in the garage area and lower level of the home, according to Nugent.

Shelton police and the Shelton Fire Marshal's Office, with assistance from the CT State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, investigated the cause and origin of the fire, Nugent said.

Investigating officers found a large number of fireworks in the garage and basement of the home, according to Nugent.

"Due to the conditions, it was determined to secure the residence until follow up could be completed safely," Nugent said in a news release. "Based on the conditions [of] the residence, it was determined that the fireworks would not be removed from the residence and officials would reburn the contents inside the residence to mitigate them further for safety measures."

A controlled burn was planned to take place at the home on June 27, during which area homes would be evacuated.

See also: Controlled Burn Planned For House Filled With 'Unstable' Fireworks: Fire Marshal

The day before the controlled burn was scheduled to take place, Shelton Fire Department Deputy Chief Paul Wilson confirmed to Patch the goal of the effort was "to burn the entire structure."

"The decision was made because most of the fireworks that have not discharged are unstable," Shelton Fire Marshal James Tortora said to Patch back in June, "and it is not safe for personnel to remove them without the chance for injury."

Tortora did not specify the amount of fireworks remaining in the home that had not discharged at the time.