Man accused of setting two Torrington homes on fire

A man is accused of setting two homes and a car on fire in Torrington, police say.

News 12 Staff

Jun 18, 2020, 11:14 AM

Updated 1,768 days ago

Share:

A man is accused of setting two homes and a car on fire in Torrington, police say.
Jose Castillo, 36, is facing multiple charges including arson and reckless endangerment.
Police say Castillo intentionally lit two homes on fire on June 17, one on Torringford West Street where he was staying and another home on Clark Street around 1:49 p.m.
Police say when they first arrived at the home on Torringford West Street, it was fully engulfed in flames.
They say a Honda coupe style vehicle was located in the driveway and found to have been consumed by flames as well.
As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, a second fire was reported at a multi-family residence at 50 Clark St.
The home at Clark Street also suffered heavy fire damage as the second floor of the residence was engulfed by flames.
Police say at least one person escaped the fire unharmed.
As the investigation continued, it was determined that the homes that were set on fire were connected in that the now displaced victims of the Torringford West residence were related to the displaced victims that had been living in the Clark Street residence.
Through interviews, and follow up, police detectives were able to account for all family members of both residences with the exception of Castillo, who was alleged to have been in the residence on Torringford West Street a short time before the fire was reported.
A Torrington police detective recognized Castillo in the area of 185 East Elm St., and after a preliminary on scene interview, detained, and later placed him into custody.
Castillo is currently being held on a $175,000 surety bond. He is due in Torrington Superior Court today.