2 Facing Arson-Related Charges Connected To Vernon House Fire, Warrants Show

VERNON, CT — Vernon police have made a pair of arson-related arrests in connection with a July house fire in town.

Tiffani Adjers, 36, a resident of the home, has been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree arson and 34-year-old Cornelius Brown, who is described in warrants as a visitor at the home, was charged with first-degree arson.

The fire broke out at 6 Becker Place on July 13 and the home is still not occupied, Vernon Fire Marshal Daniel Wasilewski said Thursday.

According to warrants obtained by Patch via a Freedom of Information request, on the day of the fire, police were met at the property by Adjers, who said that an ex-boyfriend, later identified as Brown, has started the first after a physical altercation.

Brown arrived at the scene shortly after and was detained, according to warrants.

Adjers was taken to Rockville General Hospital for breathing problems and anxiety, but was later also detained for questioning, according to warrants.

The home, owned by the Vernon Housing Authority, had "significant damage" to the third floor and a contained or lighter fluid with indentations consistent with it being squeezed and poured, were noticeable, according to warrants.

Police were told that the lighter fluid was purchased by Brown previously with a package of hot dogs in anticipation of a barbecue. The cookout never took place and police later learned that Brown was hanging out and drinking alcohol with Adjers, according to warrants.

Investigators later located a lighter in the home, according to warrants.

Brown claimed that Adjers had previously mentioned setting a fire to collect insurance money, one of several contradicting statements referred to in warrants. A fight prior to the fire was confirmed by investigators, according to warrants.

The focus ultimately turned to four locations traced by a trained state police dog as starting points for the fire via lighter fluid — a bed, a closet, a purse that was on the floor and flooring in a bedroom, according to warrants.

DNA evidence pointed to involvement on the part of both Adjers and Brown, according to warrants.