BLOOMFIELD – Bloomfield Police were dispatched to a fire at a convalescent care facility in Bloomfield Saturday morning.
Police responded to Touchpoints Healthcare Facility, located on 140 Park Avenue around 8:30 a.m.
The fire was concentrated to one room in the facility. Officers began assisting in the evacuation of 27 patients. Many patients at Touchpoints are immobile. Out of the 27 patients, 5 were taken to a nearby hospital for continued care and evaluation. The other residents were relocated to another wing of the facility.
It was learned that the cause of the fire was arson, and that the suspect had fled on foot through the woods. He was found in a marshy area near the facility. The suspect admitted that he started the fire because he no longer wanted to stay in the facility. He as transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Local and State Fire Marshalls are working with Bloomfield Detectives and Officers during the investigation.
Thirteen years ago, 16 people were killed when a woman set a fire at Greenwood Health Center, a Hartford nursing home on Feb. 26, 2003.
Leslie Andino, a patient in the facility, caused the fire by setting her blankets on fire. Andino was charged with 16 counts of arson murder, but was found incompetent to stand trial and committed to psychiatric care.