Southbury Man Accused Of Lighting Fire At Train Station In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — A 52-year-old Southbury man was arrested on a warrant by Westport police last week in connection with a large fire the suspect is alleged to have lit at the Saugatuck Train Station in Westport in April 2019, according to authorities.

William Monahan was taken into custody on June 6 by Connecticut State Police due to the active warrant, and turned over to Westport police. He was charged with the following:

• Reckless burning
• First-degree criminal mischief
• Second-degree threatening

The incident occurred at about 2:20 a.m. on April 19, 2019, when police were called to the station on a report of a fire. No injuries were reported.

"Upon arrival, the investigating officer located a large fire just outside of the train station building," wrote Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods in a statement. "The investigation revealed that William Monahan, who was watching the fire, was responsible for starting the fire. Due to his mental state at the time of the call, he was transported to a local hospital for evaluation."

Additional details, such as, what happened to Monahan after the hospital evaluation, were not disclosed, but Westport police did not obtain the warrant until this month.

Monahan is being held in lieu of bail of $100,000, and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 5.