SEYMOUR – A 55-year-old resident was arrested after a house fire at 22 Highland Ave. Tuesday (Nov. 11).
Police charged Phil Prokop, 55, with one count risk of injury to a minor and four counts of second-degree reckless endangerment. Police said they believe he set a mattress on fire in the residence where he lives. The investigation is continuing.
No injuries were reported.
Firefighters were sent to Highland Avenue at 2:24 p.m. The first firefighter on scene saw light smoke coming from the single-family house, according to fire marshal Timm Willis.
The fire is believed to have started on a mattress in the basement.
There were five adults and one toddler at the house when the fire was reported. Willis said one of the adults was able to extinguish most of the fire prior to firefighters arriving.
Smoke damage made the house uninhabitable, the fire marshal said.
Prokop is free on a $20,000 bond pending a Dec. 8 court date.
The risk of injury charge is a felony, the reckless endangerment charges are misdemeanors.