Derby police said Wednesday that a fire that damaged a second-story apartment at 130 Main St. last month may have been set intentionally.
Though the official cause is still “undetermined,” arson is a strong possibility.
“While presently undetermined, police and FM (fire marshal) are investigating the possibility of arson,” Lt. Justin Stanko said Wednesday (April 3).
There were no major injuries during the fire, but Edward Minerly and his wife, Marianne, were checked out at Griffin Hospital after the blaze, which was reported Friday, March 22 at about 7 p.m.
The fire was in a vacant apartment within the building, which houses a liquor store on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors.
Derby emergency responders rescued Minerly, who uses a wheelchair, from the blaze.
Derby Fire Marshal Phil Hawks said Wednesday his investigation is ongoing and declined to release additional information.
Hawks said more information could be available by the end of the week.
Minerly can return to his apartment, which wasn’t damaged by fire, according to The Valley Gazette.
Minerly said he’s looking for a new place to live.
Click here to read his interview with the Gazette.
Any new address will have to be reported to state police, as he is listed on the state’s sex offender registry for a 1992 conviction for first-degree sexual assault, for which he served time in prison.
He was also arrested in December by Derby police on charges including impersonation of a police officer. That case is pending at Superior Court in Derby.
