A 31-year-old Ansonia man was charged with first-degree arson Wednesday in connection to a fire at a Bridgeport Avenue business.
The suspect, Allister James, was also charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment.
According to a statement from police, James set an office on fire within Honey Cell at 600 Bridgeport Ave. in Shelton on June 8.
The fire was reported about 12:30 a.m. and was put out by a fire suppression system within the building.
Although there were several employees inside the business, there were no serious injuries reported.
Shortly after the fire was called in, police said they received a 911 call from James, claiming that he had been kidnapped.
Police responded and interviewed James in a commuter parking lot on Bridgeport Avenue.
According to police, James said that he had been forced at gunpoint to break into Honey Cell, where he worked, and to pour gasoline into an office.
One of the kidnappers then set the place ablaze, James allegedly told police.
James was taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Detectives, the city’s fire marshal’s office and the state police fire and explosion unit responded.
“Detectives were unable to validate James’ claim of being kidnapped, and based on their investigation, determined that he was responsible for the intentional fire,” police said in a prepared statement.
James is scheduled to appear in court today. He was charged after police obtained a warrant for his arrest.
