WATERBURY -- Officials said Tuesday afternoon they believe the fire that destroyed the former Anaconda American Brass Building in Waterbury was caused by arson.
Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary said fire investigators believe the fire which crews fought for hours in the partially abandoned building Monday night is result of arson. Officials confirmed they were seeing if a nearby fire was related.
Firefighters say there was a minor eye injury to a firefighter, but officials say he's okay. When crews first arrived on scene last night, the three-story building was fully engulfed. They finally extinguished the fire this morning.
The company operated under the names Ansonia Copper and Brass and Anaconda American Brass according to the CT Post.
Officials say that the Department of Energy and Environment Protection, and the EPA had previously spent a lot of time here eliminating contaminants when the building was first abandoned. They explain that the floors were soaked with gasoline and other materials, which helped spread the fire so fast.
The Waterbury Fire Chief says the roof partially collapsed.